New King James Version
Proverbs 25:23
23The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
Proverbs 25:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
- New International Version (NIV)Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
- New Living Translation (NLT)As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
Context of Proverbs 25:23
21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you. The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. 24It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. 25As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:23 word by word
ר֣וּחַ צָ֭פוֹן תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל גָּ֑שֶׁם וּפָנִ֥ים נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים לְשׁ֣וֹן סָֽתֶר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- The northצָפוֹןtsâphôn tsâphôn · northH6828
- windרוּחַrûach · spirit: breathH7307
- driveth awayחוּלchûl chîyl · to twist: give birthH2342
- rainגֶּ֫שֶׁםgeshem · rainH1653
- an angryזָעַםzâ‛am · be indignantH2194
- countenanceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
- a backbitingסֵ֫תֶרsêther sithrâh · secrecyH5643
- tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:23
- Job 37:22He comes from the north as golden splendor; With God is awesome majesty.
- Psalms 15:3He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
- Psalms 101:5Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.
- Romans 1:30backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
- 2 Corinthians 12:20For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
Commentaries on Proverbs 25:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The north wind driveth away rain - The margin has, "The north wind bringeth forth rain." It is said that the "north wind brings forth rain at Jerusalem, because it brings with it the vapours arising from the sea that lies north of it." The marginal is the true reading; and is supported by the Chaldee, Syriac, and Septuagint; but the Arabic reads south wind. A backbiting tongue - A hidden tongue.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The marginal reading is far more accurate and gives a better sense. The northwest wind in Palestine commonly brings rain, and this was probably in the thought of the writer.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth (Psa 90:2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger."Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 25:23
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries