Proverbs 20:2

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 is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. 3Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel. 4The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.

Proverbs 20:2 word by word

נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ מִ֝תְעַבְּר֗וֹ חוֹטֵ֥א נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear

• The terrorאֵימָה'êymâh 'êmâh · terrorH367
• of a kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• is like the growlingנַ֫הַםnaham · roaringH5099
• of a lionכְּפִירkephîyr · lionH3715
• He who provokesעָבַר‛âbar · be angryH5674
• forfeitsחָטָאchâţâ' · to sinH2398
• his own lifeנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: lifeH5315

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:2

• Proverbs 16:14The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.
• Proverbs 19:12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the ruler’s temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.
• Hosea 11:10They will walk after the Lord, He will roar like a lion; Indeed He will roar And His sons will come trembling from the west.
• Amos 3:8A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?
• Proverbs 8:36But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death.”
• 1 Kings 2:23Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “May God do so to me and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life.

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

• Citizens
• Lion

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Proverb

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