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 Living Translation (NLT)Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.

Context of Proverbs 25:15

13Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain. By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. 16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. 17Seldom set foot 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 soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Proverbs 16:14As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.
• Genesis 32:4And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.
• 1 Samuel 25:14Now one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master; and he reviled them.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies 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