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 King James Version (NKJV)By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

Context of Proverbs 25:15

13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

Proverbs 25:15 word by word

בְּאֹ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם יְפֻתֶּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין וְלָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה תִּשְׁבָּר־גָּֽרֶם׃Read the interlinear

• 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 turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
• Proverbs 16:14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
• Genesis 32:4And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
• 1 Samuel 25:14But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

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