Proverbs 25:15

Proverbs 25:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
• New International Version (NIV)Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
• English Standard Version (ESV)With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
• New King James Version (NKJV)By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

Context of Proverbs 25:15

13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters. 14Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone. 16When you find honey, eat only what is sufficient for you, lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up. 17Don’t set foot too frequently in your neighbor’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.

Proverbs 25:15 word by word

בְּאֹ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם יְפֻתֶּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין וְלָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה תִּשְׁבָּר־גָּֽרֶם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• By longאֹ֫רֶךְ'ôrek · lengthH753
• forbearingאַף'aph · face: angerH639
• is a princeקָצִיןqâtsîyn · chiefH7101
• persuadedפָּתָהpâthâh · to enticeH6601
• and a softרַךְrak · tenderH7390
• tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• breakethשָׁבַרshâbar · to breakH7665
• the boneגֶּ֫רֶםgerem · boneH1634

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:15

• Proverbs 15:1A gentle response turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
• Proverbs 16:14A king’s wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.
• Genesis 32:4He commanded them, “This is what you must say to my lord Esau: ‘This is what your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban until now.
• 1 Samuel 25:14But one of the servants told Nabal’s wife Abigail, “David sent messengers from the desert to greet our lord, but he screamed at them.
• 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.

Commentaries on Proverbs 25:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15A soft tongue breaketh the bone - This is similar to another proverb on the same subject: "A soft answer turneth away wrath." An angry word does nothing but mischief.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15A soft tongue - Winning and gentle speech does what it seems at first least capable of doing; it overcomes obstacles which are as bones that the strongest jaws would fail to crush.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15Verse 15 Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. Gentleness and kindness overcome the most powerful and obstinate. long forbearing--or, "slowness to anger" (Pr 14:29; 15:18).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 25:15

• Citizens
• King
• Meekness
• Speaking
• Tact

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Debate
• Discover
• Forbear
• Heavy
• Hezekiah (2)
• Meekness
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Solomon

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