New King James Version
Proverbs 20:2
2The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.
Proverbs 20:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
- New International Version (NIV)A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.
Context of Proverbs 20:2
1Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life. 3It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel. 4The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:2 word by word
נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ מִ֝תְעַבְּר֗וֹ חוֹטֵ֥א נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:2
- Proverbs 16:14As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.
- Proverbs 19:12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.
- Hosea 11:10“They shall walk after the Lord. He will roar like a lion. When He roars, Then His sons shall come trembling from the west;
- Amos 3:8A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?
- Proverbs 8:36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”
- 1 Kings 2:23Then King Solomon swore by the Lord, saying, “May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life!
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2The fear of a king - Almost the same with Proverbs 19:12; (note), which see.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Sinneth against his own soul - i. e., Against his own life (compare Habakkuk 2:10).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2Verse 2 How formidable kings are to those who provoke them! how much more foolish then is it to provoke the King of kings!Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Queen Esther was willing to risk her life and make the king angry (Esther 7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. (Compare Pr 19:12). Men who resist authority injure themselves (Ro 13:2).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries