Proverbs 25:22

Proverbs 25:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
• English Standard Version (ESV)for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
• New Living Translation (NLT)You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.

Context of Proverbs 25:22

20Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. 21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. 23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look. 24Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 25:22 word by word

כִּ֤י גֶֽחָלִ֗ים אַ֭תָּה חֹתֶ֣ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה יְשַׁלֶּם־לָֽךְ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For thou shalt heapחָתָהchâthâh · to snatch upH2846
• coals of fireגַּחֶ֫לֶתgechel gacheleth · coalH1513
• upon his headרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
• and the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• shall rewardשָׁלֵםshâlam · to completeH7999

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:22

• 2 Samuel 16:12It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
• Matthew 10:13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
• 1 Corinthians 15:18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

Commentaries on Proverbs 25:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head - Not to consume, but to melt him into kindness; a metaphor taken from smelting metallic ores: - So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By heaping coals of fire upon its head: In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, And pure from dross the silver runs below. S. Wesley.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-22Verses 21-22 The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-22Surprisingly, showing kindness to an enemy works better than showing anger (see Romans 12:20).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 21-2221-22. (Compare Mt 5:44; Ro 12:20). As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 25:22

• Beneficence
• Coal
• Enemy
• Forgiveness
• Quotations and Allusions

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Debate
• Discover
• Heavy
• Coal
• Fire
• Head
• Heap
• Hezekiah (2)
• Law in the New Testament

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