Bible Strands
Proverbs 25:15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — This proverb sits in a collected wisdom text between warnings against empty boasting and gluttony, addressing anyone who must navigate interactions with those in authority.
The words — The Hebrew בְּאֹרֶךְ אַפַּיִם (be./'O.rekh 'A.pa.yim) translates literally to "by length of anger," denoting prolonged patience. The phrase לָשׁוֹן רַכָּה (ve./la.Shon ra.Kah) means "a soft tongue," directly contrasting with harsh speech.
The thread — This pattern of pacifying authority through calmness and gentle speech recurs in Proverbs 15:1, Ecclesiastes 10:4, and Proverbs 16:14, where measured words are shown to avert wrath.
Why it lands — The text demands practical restraint, instructing the reader to replace impatience and harsh words with measured endurance when confronting those in power.
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
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
- Proverbs 16:14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
- Genesis 32:4 He instructed them, “You are to say to my master Esau, ‘Your servant Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban and have remained there until now.
- 1 Samuel 25:14 Meanwhile, one of Nabal’s young men informed Nabal’s wife Abigail, “Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master, but he screamed at them.
- 1 Samuel 25:24 She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant.