Proverbs 25:23

Proverbs 25:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
• New International Version (NIV)Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

Context of Proverbs 25:23

21If thy enemy shall hunger, give him bread to eat; and if he shall thirst, give him water to drink: 22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. 24It isbetter to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. 25Ascold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Proverbs 25:23 word by word

ר֣וּחַ צָ֭פוֹן תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל גָּ֑שֶׁם וּפָנִ֥ים נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים לְשׁ֣וֹן סָֽתֶר׃Read the interlinear

• northצָפוֹןtsâphôn tsâphôn · northH6828
• windרוּחַrûach · spirit: breathH7307
• awayחוּלchûl chîyl · to twist: give birthH2342
• rainגֶּ֫שֶׁםgeshem · rainH1653
• angryזָעַםzâ‛am · be indignantH2194
• countenanceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• backbitingסֵ֫תֶרsêther sithrâh · secrecyH5643
• tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:23

• Job 37:22Fair weather cometh from the north: with God is terrible majesty.
• Psalms 15:3He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
• Psalms 101:5Whoever secretly slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart I will not endure.
• Romans 1:30Backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
• 2 Corinthians 12:20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults:

Commentaries on Proverbs 25:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23The north wind driveth away rain - The margin has, "The north wind bringeth forth rain." It is said that the "north wind brings forth rain at Jerusalem, because it brings with it the vapours arising from the sea that lies north of it." The marginal is the true reading; and is supported by the Chaldee, Syriac, and Septuagint; but the Arabic reads south wind. A backbiting tongue - A hidden tongue.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The marginal reading is far more accurate and gives a better sense. The northwest wind in Palestine commonly brings rain, and this was probably in the thought of the writer.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth (Psa 90:2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger."Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 25:23

• Backbiting
• Countenance
• Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena
• Rain
• Slander
• Speaking
• Wind

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Backbite
• Debate
• Discover
• Heavy
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Rainfall in Jerusalem in Inches
• Solomon
• Wind

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