Proverbs 15
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Pro. 15:1-33) soft--tender or gentle. turneth . . . wrath--from any one. stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.
Open source ↗A soft answer turneth away wrath,.... Mild words, gentle expressions, delivered with kindness and tenderness, humility and submission; these will work upon a man's passions, weaken his resentments, and break and scatter the storm of wrath raised in his breast, just breaking forth in a very boisterous and blustering manner; so high winds are sometimes laid by soft showers. Thus the Ephraimites were pacified by Gideon's mild answer; and David by Abigail's very submissive and respectful address, Jdg 8:1; but grievous words stir up anger; such as are rough and menacing, scornful and sneering, reproachful and reviling, proud, haughty, and overbearing; like those of Jephthah to the Ephraimites; and of the Ephraimites to the Gileadites; and of Nabal to David's servants, concerning him; and of Rehoboam, who answered the people roughly: in all which instances anger was stirred up, and either were or like to have been attended with bad consequences, Jdg 12:1. Or a "word" causing, or rather expressing, "grief" (r); upbraiding others with being the cause of grief to them. (r) "verbum vel sermo doloris", Montanus, Vatablus, Michaelis; vid. Gussetius, p. 177.
Open source ↗We take these verses together as forming a group which begins with a proverb regarding the good and evil which flows from the tongue, and closes with a proverb regarding the treasure in which blessing is found, and that in which no blessing is found. Pro 15:1 1 A soft answer turneth away wrath, And a bitter word stirreth up anger. In the second line, the common word for anger (אף, from the breathing with the nostrils, Pro 14:17) is purposely placed, but in the first, that which denotes anger in the highest degree (חמה from יחם, cogn. חמם, Arab. hamiya, to glow, like שׁנה from ישׁן): a mild, gentle word turns away the heat of anger (excandescentiam), puts it back, cf. Pro 25:15. The Dagesh in רּך follows the rule of the דחיק, i.e., of the close connection of a word terminating with the accented eh, aah, ah with the following word (Michlol 63b). The same is the meaning of the Latin proverb: Frangitur ira gravis Quando est responsio suavis. The דבר־עצב produces the contrary effect. This expression does not mean an angry word (Ewald), for עצב is not to be compared with the Arab. ghaḍab, anger (Umbreit), but with Arab. 'aḍb, cutting, wounding, paining (Hitzig), so that דבר מעציב is meant in the sense of Psa 78:40 : a word which causes pain (lxx λυπηρός, Theod. πονικός), not after the meaning, a word provoking to anger (Gesenius), but certainly after its effect, for a wounding word "makes anger arise." As one says of anger שׁב, "it turns itself" (e.g., Isa 9:11), so, on the other hand, עלה, "it rises up," Ecc 10:4. The lxx has a third line, ὀργὴ ἀπόλλυσι καὶ φρονίμους, which the Syr. forms into a distich by the repetition of Pro 14:32, the untenableness of which is at once seen. Pro 15:2 The πραΰ́της σοφίας (Jam 3:13) commended in Pro 15:1 is here continued: The t…
Open source ↗Solomon, as conservator of the public peace, here tells us, 1. How the peace may be kept, that we may know how in our places to keep it; it is by soft words. If wrath be risen like a threatening cloud, pregnant with storms and thunder, a soft answer will disperse it and turn it away. When men are provoked, speak gently to them, and give them good words, and they will be pacified, as the Ephraimites were by Gideon's mildness (Jdg 8:1-3); whereas, upon a like occasion, by Jephthah's roughness, they were exasperated, and the consequences were bad, Jdg 12:1-3. Reason will be better spoken, and a righteous cause better pleaded, with meekness then with passion; hard arguments do best with soft words. 2. How the peace will be broken, that we, for our parts, may do nothing towards the breaking of it. Nothing stirs up anger, and sows discord, like grievous words, calling foul names, as Raca, and Thou fool, upbraiding men with their infirmities and infelicities, their extraction or education, or any thing that lessens them and makes them mean; scornful spiteful reflections, by which men affect to show their wit and malice, stir up the anger of others, which does but increase and inflame their own anger. Rather than lose a jest some will lose a friend and make an enemy.
Open source ↗15:1 Moderating emotions and suiting them to the context helps others listen to what we say without reacting.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
רַךְ (rak, H7390) — tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak מַעֲנֶה (maʻăneh, H4617) — a reply (favorable or contradictory) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) עֶצֶב (ʻetseb, H6089) — an earthen vessel; usually (painful) toil; also a pang (whether of body or mind) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly נָבַע (nâbaʻ, H5042) — to gush forth; figuratively, to utter (good or bad words); specifically, to emit (a foul… אִוֶּלֶת (ʼivveleth, H200) — silliness
Open source ↗עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6822) — properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗מַרְפֵּא (marpêʼ, H4832) — properly, curative, i.e. literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure;… לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… סֶלֶף (çeleph, H5558) — distortion, i.e. (figuratively) viciousness שֶׁבֶר (sheber, H7667) — a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗אֱוִיל (ʼĕvîyl, H191) — (figuratively) silly נָאַץ (nâʼats, H5006) — to scorn; אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… תּוֹכֵחָה (tôwkêchâh, H8433) — chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence) עָרַם (ʻâram, H6191) — properly, to be (or make) bare; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea…
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) חֹסֶן (chôçen, H2633) — wealth תְּבוּאָה (tᵉbûwʼâh, H8393) — income, i.e. produce (literally or figuratively) רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person עָכַר (ʻâkar, H5916) — properly, to roil water; figuratively, to disturb or affict
Open source ↗שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) זָרָה (zârâh, H2219) — to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
Open source ↗זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) רָצוֹן (râtsôwn, H7522) — delight (especially as shown)
Open source ↗דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)…
Open source ↗מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. אֹרַח (ʼôrach, H734) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) תּוֹכֵחָה (tôwkêchâh, H8433) — chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories… אֲבַדּוֹן (ʼăbaddôwn, H11) — abstract, a perishing; concrete, Hades יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God לִבָּה (libbâh, H3826) — the heart בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Open source ↗לוּץ (lûwts, H3887) — properly, to make mouths at, i.e. to scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
Open source ↗שָׂמֵחַ (sâmêach, H8056) — blithe or gleeful לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יָטַב (yâṭab, H3190) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עַצֶּבֶת (ʻatstsebeth, H6094) — a idol; also, a pain or wound רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… נָכֵא (nâkêʼ, H5218) — smitten, i.e. (figuratively) afflicted
Open source ↗לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… אִוֶּלֶת (ʼivveleth, H200) — silliness
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
“We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah pressed even harder than the men of Israel.