New English Translation
Proverbs 16:14
14A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.
Proverbs 16:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
- New International Version (NIV)A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
- New King James Version (NKJV)As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.
Context of Proverbs 16:14
12Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness. 13The delight of kings is righteous counsel, and they love the one who speaks uprightly. A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it. 15In the light of the king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain. 16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.
Read all of Proverbs 16Proverbs 16:14 word by word
חֲמַת־מֶ֥לֶךְ מַלְאֲכֵי־מָ֑וֶת וְאִ֖ישׁ חָכָ֣ם יְכַפְּרֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 16:14
- Proverbs 19:12A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Proverbs 20:2The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.
- Daniel 3:13Then Nebuchadnezzar in a fit of rage demanded that they bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before him. So they brought them before the king.
- Luke 12:4“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do.
- Proverbs 17:11An evil person seeks only rebellion, and so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
- 2 Kings 6:31Then he said, “May God judge me severely if Elisha son of Shaphat still has his head by the end of the day!”
- Mark 6:27So the king sent an executioner at once to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded John in prison.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.
- Acts 12:20Now Herod was having an angry quarrel with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they joined together and presented themselves before him. And after convincing Blastus, the king’s personal assistant, to help them, they asked for peace, because their country’s food supply was provided by the king’s country.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God!”
Commentaries on Proverbs 16:14
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14While Proverbs 16:13 depicts the king as he ought to be, this verse reminds us of the terrible rapidity with which, in the despotic monarchies of the East, punishment, even death, follows royal displeasure.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-15Verses 14-15 Those are fools, who, to obtain the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-15The king is powerful. People should avoid making him angry and try to earn his favor.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. This wrath, so terrible and certain, like messengers of death (1Ki 2:25), can be appeased by the wise.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 16:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 16
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries