Proverbs 20:2

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 King James Version (NKJV)The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

Context of Proverbs 20:2

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul. 3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. 4The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Proverbs 20:2 word by word

נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ מִ֝תְעַבְּר֗וֹ חוֹטֵ֥א נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear

• The fearאֵימָה'êymâh 'êmâh · terrorH367
• of a kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• as the roaringנַ֫הַםnaham · roaringH5099
• of a lionכְּפִירkephîyr · lionH3715
• provoketh him to angerעָבַר‛âbar · be angryH5674
• sinnethחָטָאchâţâ' · to sinH2398
• his own soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: lifeH5315

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:2

• Proverbs 16:14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
• Proverbs 19:12The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
• Hosea 11:10They shall walk after Yhwh: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
• Amos 3:8The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord Yhwh hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
• Proverbs 8:36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
• 1 Kings 2:23Then king Solomon sware by Yhwh, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have 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

• Citizens
• Lion

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Proverb

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