Proverbs 16:14
New International Version
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.

New Living Translation
The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.

English Standard Version
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.

Berean Standard Bible
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

King James Bible
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

New King James Version
As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.

New American Standard Bible
The fury of a king is like messengers of death; But a wise person will appease it.

NASB 1995
The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.

NASB 1977
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.

Legacy Standard Bible
The wrath of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will atone for it.

Amplified Bible
The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death, But a wise man will appease it.

Christian Standard Bible
A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise man appeases it.

American Standard Version
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.

Contemporary English Version
An angry ruler can put you to death. So be wise! Don't make one angry.

English Revised Version
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A king's anger announces death, but a wise man makes peace with him.

Good News Translation
A wise person will try to keep the king happy; if the king becomes angry, someone may die.

International Standard Version
The king's wrath results in a death sentence, but whoever is wise will appease him.

Majority Standard Bible
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

NET Bible
A king's wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

New Heart English Bible
The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

Webster's Bible Translation
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

World English Bible
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The fury of a king [is] messengers of death, "" And a wise man pacifies it.

Young's Literal Translation
The fury of a king is messengers of death, And a wise man pacifieth it.

Smith's Literal Translation
The king's wrath, messengers of death: and a wise man shall expiate it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death : and the wise man will pacify it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease it.

New American Bible
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise person can pacify it.

New Revised Standard Version
A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and whoever is wise will appease it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The anger of the King becomes messengers of death and the wise man will assuage it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
13Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. 14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 15When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.…

Cross References
Esther 7:7-8
In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him. / Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

Daniel 3:13-19
Then Nebuchadnezzar, furious with rage, summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, / and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up? / Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?” ...

1 Samuel 20:30-33
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? / For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!” / “Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?” ...

2 Kings 6:31-33
He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!” / Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” / While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”

Genesis 40:2-3
Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, / and imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guard, the same prison where Joseph was confined.

2 Samuel 24:1
Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He stirred up David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

1 Kings 20:42-43
And the prophet said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have let slip from your hand the man I had devoted to destruction, your life will be exchanged for his life, and your people for his people.’” / Sullen and angry, the king of Israel went home to Samaria.

Nehemiah 2:2-3
so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear / and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”

Psalm 76:10
Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

Matthew 2:16
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.

Mark 6:27-28
So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison. / The man brought John’s head on a platter and presented it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.

Luke 23:12
That day Herod and Pilate became friends; before this time they had been enemies.

Acts 12:20-23
Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king’s country for food. / On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” ...

Romans 13:4
For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.


Treasury of Scripture

The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

wrath

Proverbs 19:12
The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

Proverbs 20:2
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

Daniel 3:13
Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

messengers

Proverbs 17:11
An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

2 Kings 6:31-33
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day…

Mark 6:27
And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

but

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

Acts 12:20
And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

2 Corinthians 5:20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Jump to Previous
Appease Death Fury King's Messenger Messengers News Pacifieth Pacify Peace Wise Wrath
Jump to Next
Appease Death Fury King's Messenger Messengers News Pacifieth Pacify Peace Wise Wrath
Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














The wrath of a king
In ancient times, the king was the ultimate authority, often seen as God's appointed ruler on earth. The Hebrew word for "wrath" here is "chemah," which conveys intense anger or fury. Historically, a king's wrath could lead to severe consequences, including death, as kings wielded absolute power. This phrase underscores the seriousness of incurring the anger of someone in authority, reflecting the broader biblical theme of respecting and fearing God-ordained leadership.

is a messenger of death
The term "messenger" in Hebrew is "malak," which can also mean "angel" or "envoy." This suggests that the king's wrath acts as a direct and swift agent of death, much like an angel of judgment. In the historical context, a king's decree could lead to immediate execution, emphasizing the lethal potential of royal anger. This serves as a metaphor for the ultimate judgment of God, reminding believers of the consequences of sin and disobedience.

but a wise man
The Hebrew word for "wise" is "chakam," which implies not just intelligence but also skillful living and moral insight. Wisdom in the biblical sense is deeply rooted in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). A wise man understands the gravity of the situation and acts with discernment. This phrase highlights the value of wisdom in navigating life's challenges and avoiding unnecessary conflict.

will pacify it
The word "pacify" comes from the Hebrew "kaphar," which can also mean "to cover" or "to atone." This suggests that a wise man knows how to calm or appease anger, perhaps through humility, diplomacy, or offering restitution. In a broader scriptural context, this reflects the Christian call to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to seek reconciliation. It also points to the ultimate atonement made by Christ, who pacified the wrath of God through His sacrifice.

Verse 14. - The wrath of a king is as messengers of death. In a despotic monarchy the death of an offender follows quickly on the offence. Anger the king, and punishment is at hand; instruments are always ready who will carry out the sentence, and that before time is given for reconsideration. The murder of Thomas a Becket will occur as an illustration (comp. Esther 7:8, etc). The LXX. translates, "The king's wrath is a messenger of death," taking the plural as put by enallage for the singular; but possibly the plural may intimate the many agents who are prepared to perform the ruler's behests, and the various means which he possesses for punishing offenders. This first clause implies, without expressly saying, that, such being the case, none but a fool will excite the monarch's resentment (comp. Ecclesiastes 8:4); then the second clause comes in naturally. But a wise man will pacify it. He will take care not to provoke that anger which gluts its resentment so quickly and so fatally (Proverbs 19:12; Proverbs 20:2). Septuagint, "A wise man will appease him," the king; as Jacob propitiated Esau by the present which he sent forward (Genesis 32:20, 21).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The wrath
חֲמַת־ (ḥă·maṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2534: Heat, anger, poison

of a king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

is a messenger
מַלְאֲכֵי־ (mal·’ă·ḵê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of death,
מָ֑וֶת (mā·weṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

but a wise
חָכָ֣ם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

man
וְאִ֖ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

will pacify it.
יְכַפְּרֶֽנָּה׃ (yə·ḵap·pə·ren·nāh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3722: To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancel


Links
Proverbs 16:14 NIV
Proverbs 16:14 NLT
Proverbs 16:14 ESV
Proverbs 16:14 NASB
Proverbs 16:14 KJV

Proverbs 16:14 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 16:14 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 16:14 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 16:14 French Bible
Proverbs 16:14 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:14 The king's wrath is a messenger (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 16:13
Top of Page
Top of Page