Ecclesiastes 7:9
New International Version
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

New Living Translation
Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.

English Standard Version
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

King James Bible
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

New King James Version
Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.

New American Standard Bible
Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, For anger resides in the heart of fools.

NASB 1995
Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.

NASB 1977
Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not be eager in your spirit to be vexed, For vexation rests in the bosom of fools.

Amplified Bible
Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger dwells in the heart of fools.

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools.

American Standard Version
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Contemporary English Version
Only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge.

English Revised Version
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't be quick to get angry, because anger is typical of fools.

Good News Translation
Keep your temper under control; it is foolish to harbor a grudge.

International Standard Version
Never be in a hurry to become internally angry, since anger settles down in the lap of fools.

Majority Standard Bible
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

NET Bible
Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

New Heart English Bible
Do not be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Webster's Bible Translation
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

World English Bible
Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do not be hasty in your spirit to be angry, "" For anger in the bosom of fools rests.

Young's Literal Translation
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, For anger in the bosom of fools resteth.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not be hastened in thy spirit to be angry, for anger shall rest in the bosom of fools.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not be quickly moved to anger. For anger resides in the sinews of the foolish.

New American Bible
Do not let anger upset your spirit, for anger lodges in the bosom of a fool.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not be quick to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Be not hastily angry, for anger rests in the bosom of the fools.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do not be quick in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the breast of fools
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; For anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Value of Wisdom
8The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one. 9Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool. 10Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this.…

Cross References
Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

James 1:19-20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, / and do not give the devil a foothold.

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Proverbs 22:24-25
Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, / or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Proverbs 12:16
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.


Treasury of Scripture

Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

hasty

1 Samuel 25:21,22
Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good…

2 Samuel 19:43
And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

Esther 3:5,6
And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath…

anger

Genesis 4:5,6,8
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell…

Genesis 34:7,8,25,26,30,31
And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done…

2 Samuel 13:22,28,32
And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar…

Jump to Previous
Anger Angry Bosom Eager Foolish Fools Hasty Heart Lodges Provoked Quick Quickly Resides Resteth Rests Spirit Vexation Vexed Wrath
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Anger Angry Bosom Eager Foolish Fools Hasty Heart Lodges Provoked Quick Quickly Resides Resteth Rests Spirit Vexation Vexed Wrath
Ecclesiastes 7
1. remedies against vanity are, a good name
2. mortification
7. patience
11. wisdom
23. The difficulty of wisdom














Do not be quickly provoked
The phrase "do not be quickly provoked" is a call to patience and self-control. The Hebrew root for "provoked" is "ka‘as," which implies irritation or vexation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where honor and shame were pivotal, being easily provoked could lead to rash actions and decisions. The wisdom literature of the Bible often emphasizes the virtue of patience, aligning with Proverbs 14:29, which states, "Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly." This phrase encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of calmness and restraint, reflecting the character of God, who is "slow to anger" (Exodus 34:6).

in your spirit
The term "spirit" here is translated from the Hebrew word "ruach," which can mean breath, wind, or spirit. It signifies the inner being or the seat of emotions and character. In biblical anthropology, the spirit is the aspect of humanity that connects with God. Thus, the admonition to not be quickly provoked in one's spirit is a call to guard one's inner life and maintain a disposition that is open to the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is a reminder that our emotional responses should be governed by our spiritual commitments and not by fleeting passions.

for anger
"Anger" in this context is derived from the Hebrew word "aph," which can also mean nostrils or face, indicating the physical manifestation of anger. Anger is a natural human emotion, but the Bible warns against letting it control us. Ephesians 4:26-27 advises, "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." This phrase serves as a caution against allowing anger to take root in our lives, leading to destructive outcomes.

settles in the lap
The imagery of anger settling "in the lap" suggests a sense of comfort or familiarity, as if anger finds a resting place within a person. The Hebrew word "cheq" refers to the bosom or lap, a place of intimacy and closeness. This metaphor warns that harboring anger can lead to it becoming a part of one's identity, influencing thoughts and actions. It is a vivid reminder of the danger of allowing negative emotions to reside within us, shaping our character and decisions.

of a fool
The term "fool" is translated from the Hebrew word "kesil," which refers to someone who is morally deficient or lacking in wisdom. In the wisdom literature, a fool is not merely someone who is intellectually lacking but one who rejects God's ways and wisdom. Psalm 14:1 declares, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" By associating anger with a fool, the verse underscores the spiritual and moral implications of unchecked anger. It serves as a warning that allowing anger to dominate one's spirit is a mark of folly, leading away from the path of wisdom and righteousness.

(9) Resteth.--Proverbs 14:33.

Verse 9. - Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry. A further warning against the arrogance which murmurs at Providence and revolts against the checks of the Divine arrangement. The injunction in Ecclesiastes 5:2 might be taken in this sense. It is not a general admonition against unrighteous anger, but is leveled at the haughty indignation which a proud man feels when things do not go as he wishes, and he deems that he could have managed matters more satisfactorily. For anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Such unreasonable displeasure is the mark of a foolish or skeptical mind, and if it rests (Proverbs 14:33), is fostered and cherished there, may develop into misanthropy and atheism. If we adopt the rendering" word" in ver. 8, we may see in this injunction a warning against being quick to take offence at a rebuke, as it is only the fool who will not look to the object of the censure and see that it ought to be patiently submitted to. On the subject of anger St. Gregory writes, "As often as we restrain the turbulent motions of the mind under the virtue of mildness, we are essaying to return to the likeness of our Creator. For when the peace of mind is lashed with anger, torn and rent, as it were, it is thrown into confusion, so that it is not in harmony with itself, and loses the force of the inward likeness. By anger wisdom is parted with, so that we are left wholly in ignorance what to do; as it is written, 'Anger resteth in the bosom of a fool,' in this way, that it withdraws the light of understanding, while by agitating it troubles the mind" ('Moral.,' 5:78).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be quickly
תְּבַהֵ֥ל (tə·ḇa·hêl)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 926: To tremble inwardly, be, alarmed, agitated, to hasten anxiously

provoked
לִכְע֑וֹס (liḵ·‘ō·ws)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3707: To trouble, to grieve, rage, be indignant

in your spirit,
בְּרֽוּחֲךָ֖ (bə·rū·ḥă·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

anger
כַ֔עַס (ḵa·‘as)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3708: Vexation, anger

settles
יָנֽוּחַ׃ (yā·nū·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5117: To rest, settle down

in the lap
בְּחֵ֥יק (bə·ḥêq)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2436: The bosom

of a fool.
כְּסִילִ֖ים (kə·sî·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool


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