God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 20:2
2The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion. Whoever makes him angry forfeits his life.
Proverbs 20:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
- New International Version (NIV)A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.
Context of Proverbs 20:2
1Wine ⌞makes people⌟ mock, liquor ⌞makes them⌟ noisy, and everyone under their influence is unwise. The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion. Whoever makes him angry forfeits his life. 3Avoiding a quarrel is honorable. After all, any stubborn fool can start a fight. 4A lazy person does not plow in the fall. He looks for something in the harvest but finds nothing.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:2 word by word
נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ מִ֝תְעַבְּר֗וֹ חוֹטֵ֥א נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:2
- Proverbs 16:14A king’s anger announces death, but a wise man makes peace with him.
- Proverbs 19:12The rage of a king is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4If a ruler becomes angry with you, don’t resign your position. If you remain calm, you can make up for serious offenses.
- Hosea 11:10“My people will follow me when I roar like a lion. When I roar, my children will come trembling from the west.
- Amos 3:8The lion has roared. Who isn’t afraid? The Almighty Lord has spoken. Who can keep from prophesying?
- Proverbs 8:36Whoever sins against me harms himself. All those who hate me love death.”
- 1 Kings 2:23King Solomon took an oath by the Lord and said, “May God strike me dead if Adonijah doesn’t pay with his life for this request!
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2The fear of a king - Almost the same with Proverbs 19:12; (note), which see.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Sinneth against his own soul - i. e., Against his own life (compare Habakkuk 2:10).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2Verse 2 How formidable kings are to those who provoke them! how much more foolish then is it to provoke the King of kings!Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Queen Esther was willing to risk her life and make the king angry (Esther 7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. (Compare Pr 19:12). Men who resist authority injure themselves (Ro 13:2).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries