Revised Version 1895
Proverbs 20:2
2The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.
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 a brawler; and whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life. 3It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife: but every fool will be quarrelling. 4The slothful will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:2 word by word
נַ֣הַם כַּ֭כְּפִיר אֵ֣ימַת מֶ֑לֶךְ מִ֝תְעַבְּר֗וֹ חוֹטֵ֥א נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear
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 allayeth great offences.
- Hosea 11:10They shall walk after the LORD, who shall roar like a lion: for he shall roar, and the children shall come trembling from the west.
- Amos 3:8The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD 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 the LORD, 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
In the dictionaries
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
Revised Version 1895 — 1895 — Public Domain
Commentaries