New International Version
Proverbs 16:14
14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.
Context of Proverbs 16:14
12Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. 13Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. 15When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. 16How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather 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 rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Proverbs 20:2A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
- Daniel 3:13Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
- Luke 12:4“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Proverbs 17:11Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.
- 2 Kings 6:31He said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today!”
- Mark 6:27So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison,
- Ecclesiastes 10:4If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest.
- Acts 12:20He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore 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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