Proverbs 21:14

Proverbs 21:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

Context of Proverbs 21:14

12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. 13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.

Proverbs 21:14 word by word

מַתָּ֣ן בַּ֭סֵּתֶר יִכְפֶּה־אָ֑ף וְשֹׁ֥חַד בַּ֝חֵ֗ק חֵמָ֥ה עַזָּֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A giftמַתָּןmattân · giftH4976
• in secretסֵ֫תֶרsêther sithrâh · secrecyH5643
• pacifiethכָּפָהkâphâh · to subdueH3711
• angerאַף'aph · face: angerH639
• and a rewardשֹׁ֫חַדshachad · bribeH7810
• in the bosomחֵיקchêyq chêq chôq · bosom: secretH2436
• strongעַז‛az · strongH5794
• wrathחֵמָהchêmâh chêmâ' · rageH2534

Cross-references for Proverbs 21:14

• Proverbs 21:17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
• Proverbs 18:16A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
• Proverbs 19:6Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
• Genesis 32:20And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’ ” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.”
• Genesis 43:11Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.
• 1 Samuel 25:35Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.”
• Matthew 6:3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

Commentaries on Proverbs 21:14

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14Verse 14 If money can conquer the fury of the passions, shall reason, the fear of God, and the command of Christ, be too weak to bridle them?Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. The effect of bribery (Pr 17:23) is enhanced by secrecy, as the bribed person does not wish his motives made known.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 21:14

• Bribery

In the dictionaries

• Dress
• Mind
• Ponder
• Toss
• Bosom
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 21

• 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