Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Proverbs is wisdom literature without a named speaker or audience; the verse stands as a general aphorism in a collection of such sayings.
The words — אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם ('erekh 'apayim) literally renders "long of anger," pairing a spatial term with an emotional one to depict slowness as a quality of the person rather than a momentary act. מֹשֵׁל בְּרוּחֹו (mōšēl bərūḥōw) uses the verb for "rules" over one's own spirit, the same language as a king governing a territory.
The thread — Proverbs 15:18 contrasts the same two types in terms of dispute; Proverbs 25:28 equates an uncontrolled temper with a breached city wall; James 1:19 repeats the "slow to anger" formula in the New Testament.
Why it lands — The verse ranks self-mastery above the highest military achievement available to an ancient audience, asking the reader to treat restraint as a conquest rather than a concession.
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
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Cross-references
- James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
- Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
- Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
- Proverbs 19:11 A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
- Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Psalms 103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.
- Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children,
- Revelation 3:21 To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
- Proverbs 16:19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.