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.
• New International Version (NIV)A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great 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.

Context of Proverbs 21:14

12The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them. 13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury. 15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. 16The person who strays from common sense will end up 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 21:17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
• Proverbs 18:16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
• Proverbs 19:6Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a person who gives gifts!
• Genesis 32:20And be sure to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” Jacob thought, “I will try to appease him by sending gifts ahead of me. When I see him in person, perhaps he will be friendly to me.”
• Genesis 43:11So their father, Jacob, finally said to them, “If it can’t be avoided, then at least do this. Pack your bags with the best products of this land. Take them down to the man as gifts—balm, honey, gum, aromatic resin, pistachio nuts, and almonds.
• 1 Samuel 25:35Then David accepted her present and told her, “Return home in peace. I have heard what you said. We will not kill your husband.”
• Matthew 6:3But when you give to someone in need, don’t 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