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.
• New International Version (NIV)In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
• 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.

Context of Proverbs 25:22

20Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound. 21If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you. 23As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! 24It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

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 16:12And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”
• Matthew 10:13If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing.
• 1 Corinthians 15:18In that case, all who have died believing 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