Bible Strands
Proverbs 16:14
The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The verse appears in a wisdom collection addressing courtly dynamics, positioned between observations on how speech affects royal favor (Proverbs 16:13) and how royal displeasure or favor impacts life (Proverbs 16:15).
The words — מַלְאֲכֵי־ (mal.'a.khei) translates as messengers, and יְכַפֵּר (ye.khap.pe.re) means he covers or pacifies.
The thread — The motif of royal wrath as a lethal threat and the call for calm response appears in Proverbs 19:12, Proverbs 20:2, and Ecclesiastes 10:4.
Why it lands — The text states that a king’s anger brings death, yet wisdom dictates a deliberate response to defuse it. It requires the reader to recognize the lethal weight of authority and practice measured conduct to preserve life.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 20:2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
- Proverbs 19:12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
- 2 Kings 6:31 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!”
- Proverbs 17:11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
- Daniel 3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, furious with rage, summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
- Mark 6:27 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.
- Luke 12:4 I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Acts 12:20 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.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.