Proverbs 16:15
New International Version
When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

New Living Translation
When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

English Standard Version
In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

Berean Standard Bible
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

King James Bible
In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

New King James Version
In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

New American Standard Bible
In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

NASB 1995
In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

NASB 1977
In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

Legacy Standard Bible
In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the late rain.

Amplified Bible
In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.

Christian Standard Bible
When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

American Standard Version
In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

Contemporary English Version
When a ruler is happy and pleased with you, it's like refreshing rain, and you will live.

English Revised Version
In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the king is cheerful, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.

Good News Translation
The king's favor is like the clouds that bring rain in the springtime--life is there.

International Standard Version
When a king is pleased, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.

Majority Standard Bible
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

NET Bible
In the light of the king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain.

New Heart English Bible
In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

Webster's Bible Translation
In the light of a king's countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

World English Bible
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In the light of a king’s face [is] life, "" And his goodwill [is] as a cloud of the spring rain.

Young's Literal Translation
In the light of a king's face is life, And his good-will is as a cloud of the latter rain.

Smith's Literal Translation
In the light of the king's face is life, and his acceptance as the cloud of the latter rain.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.

New American Bible
A king’s smile means life, and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

New Revised Standard Version
In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favor is like a cloud of the early rain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In the light of the King's face is life and his pleasure is like an early cloud.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
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. 16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.…

Cross References
Numbers 6:25
may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

Psalm 30:5
For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 89:15
Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.

Psalm 104:15
wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.

Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

Isaiah 60:19
No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor.

Isaiah 61:3
to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Jeremiah 33:11
the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.

Malachi 4:2
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 17:2
There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Luke 1:78-79
because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, / to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

John 1:4-5
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”


Treasury of Scripture

In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.

the light

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

Job 29:23,24
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain…

Psalm 4:6
There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

his

Job 29:23
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

Psalm 30:5
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalm 72:6
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

Jump to Previous
Approval Brightens Cloud Clouds Countenance Face Favor Favour Good-Will King's Light Means Rain Spring
Jump to Next
Approval Brightens Cloud Clouds Countenance Face Favor Favour Good-Will King's Light Means Rain Spring
Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














In the light of a king’s face
The phrase "In the light of a king’s face" evokes the imagery of a ruler whose presence and countenance bring illumination and clarity. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the king was often seen as a representative of divine authority on earth. The Hebrew word for "light" (אוֹר, 'or) signifies not just physical light but also enlightenment, guidance, and favor. The king's face, therefore, symbolizes approval and benevolence. When a king's face shines upon someone, it indicates acceptance and blessing, much like the divine favor described in the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:25, "The LORD make His face shine upon you."

there is life
The presence of life in this context is more than mere existence; it is a flourishing, vibrant life. The Hebrew word for "life" (חַיִּים, chayyim) encompasses well-being, prosperity, and vitality. In the ancient world, the king's favor could mean the difference between life and death, prosperity and ruin. This reflects the broader biblical theme that true life is found in the favor and presence of God, as seen in Psalm 16:11, "You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy."

and his favor
The term "favor" (רָצוֹן, ratzon) in Hebrew conveys a sense of pleasure, delight, and goodwill. A king's favor was a powerful force, often determining the success or failure of individuals and nations. In a spiritual sense, this favor mirrors the grace of God, which is unmerited and transformative. The favor of a king, like the favor of God, is not something that can be earned but is given out of the king's own will and pleasure.

is like a cloud of the spring rain
The imagery of "a cloud of the spring rain" is rich with agricultural significance. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, spring rains were crucial for the growth of crops and the sustenance of life. The Hebrew word for "rain" (מַלְקוֹשׁ, malkosh) refers specifically to the latter rains that were essential for the harvest. This metaphor suggests that the king's favor brings refreshment, renewal, and the promise of a fruitful future. Just as the spring rain revives the earth, so does the favor of a king—or by extension, the favor of God—revive and sustain the soul. This aligns with the biblical understanding of God’s blessings as life-giving and sustaining, as seen in Hosea 6:3, "He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth."

(15) A cloud of the latter rain.--This fell at the end of March, maturing the barley and wheat crops before the harvest in April. It was eagerly looked for as of great importance. (Comp. Psalm 72:6 for the same figure.)

Verse 15. - In the light of the king's countenance is life (Proverbs 15:30; Psalm 4:6). As the king's anger and the darkening of his countenance are death (ver. 14), so, when his look is cheerful and bright, it sheds joy and life around, as the rain refreshes the parched ground. A cloud of the latter rain. The former rain in Palestine falls about the end of October or the beginning of November, when the seed is sown; the latter rain comes in March or April, and is absolutely necessary for the due swelling and ripening of the grain. It is accompanied, of course) with cloud, which tempers the heat, while it brings fertility and vigour. To this the king's favour is well compared. "He shall come down," says the psalmist, "like the rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth" (Psalm 72:6). The LXX., reading בני (beni) for פני (peni), translates, "In the light of life is the son of the king; and they who are acceptable to him are as a cloud of the latter rain."

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

face
פְּנֵי־ (pə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

brightens,
בְּאוֹר־ (bə·’ō·wr-)
Preposition | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary

there is life;
חַיִּ֑ים (ḥay·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

his favor
וּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹ (ū·rə·ṣō·w·nōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7522: Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will

is like a rain cloud
כְּעָ֣ב (kə·‘āḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 5645: An envelope, darkness, a, cloud, a copse

in spring.
מַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃ (mal·qō·wōš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4456: The spring rain, eloquence


Links
Proverbs 16:15 NIV
Proverbs 16:15 NLT
Proverbs 16:15 ESV
Proverbs 16:15 NASB
Proverbs 16:15 KJV

Proverbs 16:15 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 16:15 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 16:15 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 16:15 French Bible
Proverbs 16:15 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:15 In the light of the king's face (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 16:14
Top of Page
Top of Page