God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 25:23
23⌞As⌟ the north wind brings rain, so a whispering tongue brings angry looks.
Proverbs 25:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
- New International Version (NIV)Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
Context of Proverbs 25:23
21If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink. 22⌞In this way⌟ you will make him feel guilty and ashamed, and the Lord will reward you. ⌞As⌟ the north wind brings rain, so a whispering tongue brings angry looks. 24Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling woman. 25⌞Like⌟ cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from far away.
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:23 word by word
ר֣וּחַ צָ֭פוֹן תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל גָּ֑שֶׁם וּפָנִ֥ים נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים לְשׁ֣וֹן סָֽתֶר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- The northצָפוֹןtsâphôn tsâphôn · northH6828
- windרוּחַrûach · spirit: breathH7307
- driveth awayחוּלchûl chîyl · to twist: give birthH2342
- rainגֶּ֫שֶׁםgeshem · rainH1653
- an angryזָעַםzâ‛am · be indignantH2194
- countenanceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
- a backbitingסֵ֫תֶרsêther sithrâh · secrecyH5643
- tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:23
- Job 37:22A golden light comes from the north. A terrifying majesty is around God.
- Psalms 15:3The one who does not slander with his tongue, do evil to a friend, or bring disgrace on his neighbor.
- Psalms 101:5I will destroy anyone who secretly slanders his neighbor. I will not tolerate anyone with a conceited look or arrogant heart.
- Romans 1:30slanderers, haters of God, haughty, arrogant, and boastful. They think up new ways to be cruel. They don’t obey their parents,
- 2 Corinthians 12:20I’m afraid that I may come and find you different from what I want you to be, and that you may find me different from what you want me to be. I’m afraid that there may be rivalry, jealousy, hot tempers, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly conduct.
Commentaries on Proverbs 25:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The north wind driveth away rain - The margin has, "The north wind bringeth forth rain." It is said that the "north wind brings forth rain at Jerusalem, because it brings with it the vapours arising from the sea that lies north of it." The marginal is the true reading; and is supported by the Chaldee, Syriac, and Septuagint; but the Arabic reads south wind. A backbiting tongue - A hidden tongue.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The marginal reading is far more accurate and gives a better sense. The northwest wind in Palestine commonly brings rain, and this was probably in the thought of the writer.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth (Psa 90:2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger."Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 25:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 25
- 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
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