Bible Strands
Proverbs 21:14
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author addresses a general reader within a wisdom collection, positioning this instruction between a warning about ignoring the poor and an observation on the execution of justice.
The words — מַתָּ֣ן (ma.Tan) = a gift and שֹׁ֥חַד (Sho.chad) = a bribe both describe the concealed financial means used to neutralize wrath.
The thread — The dynamic of using gifts to influence authority appears in Proverbs 18:16, Proverbs 19:6, and 1 Samuel 25:35.
Why it lands — The text states that hidden payments subdue anger and pacify strong rage, requiring the reader to acknowledge how covert transactions manipulate social and judicial outcomes.
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
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:6 Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
- Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
- 1 Samuel 25:35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.”
- Proverbs 17:8 A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
- Matthew 6:3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
- Genesis 32:20 You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me.”
- Genesis 43:11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
- Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.