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. 14As clouds and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely. By long forbearing is a ruler 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. 17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

Proverbs 25:15 word by word

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

• longאֹ֫רֶךְ'ôrek · lengthH753
• rulerקָצִיןqâtsîyn · chiefH7101
• softרַךְrak · tenderH7390
• tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• boneגֶּ֫רֶםgerem · boneH1634

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:15

• Proverbs 15:1A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but a grievous word stirreth 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 say unto my lord Esau; Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed 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 flew upon them.
• Ecclesiastes 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding allayeth 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