Proverbs 16:15 kjv

In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

Proverbs 16:15 nkjv

In the light of the king's face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

Proverbs 16:15 niv

When a king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

Proverbs 16:15 esv

In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

Proverbs 16:15 nlt

When the king smiles, there is life;
his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

Proverbs 16 verses

Proverbs 16 15 Meaning

The proverb states that a king's favorable disposition, likened to radiant light, brings forth life and vitality to his people. Furthermore, his goodwill is as indispensable and refreshing as the crucial latter rain, ensuring the prosperity and sustenance of the land. It emphasizes that a ruler's inherent benevolence directly translates into the flourishing of his subjects.

Proverbs 16 15 Context

Proverbs chapter 16 extensively explores themes of divine sovereignty, human responsibility, justice, and the conduct of leaders. Verses 10-15 specifically highlight the role and nature of kingship, indicating that a king's decisions and character are intertwined with God's oversight. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern societies, kings were absolute rulers whose personal disposition significantly impacted their subjects' welfare, security, and prosperity. A king's mood could determine matters of life and death, economic well-being, and social stability. This proverb speaks to the ideal king, whose "light" (favor) is a source of well-being, contrasting with potentially capricious or tyrannical rulers common in the ancient world. This offers a subtle polemic by implicitly presenting a model of benevolent rule that ultimately reflects God’s just and life-giving governance, standing in stark contrast to pagan deities or human kings whose favor was often fickle or demanded propitiation.

Proverbs 16 15 Word analysis

• In the light (בְּאֹֽוּר - b'ōr):

  • Hebrew term: א֫וֹר ('or).
  • Meaning: Light, sunshine, dawn. It symbolizes prosperity, joy, guidance, and the divine presence.
  • Significance: It is an active radiance, indicating that the king's positive disposition is a pervasive and visible influence, banishing gloom and instilling hope and vitality.

• of the king’s face (פְנֵי־מֶ֥לֶךְ - p'nê-melech):

  • Hebrew terms: פָּנִים (panim) - face, presence, countenance; מֶלֶךְ (melech) - king, ruler.
  • Meaning: The "face" refers to the whole person and their disposition or presence. "To see the king's face" meant gaining an audience and implies favor.
  • Significance: A king's public countenance conveys his immediate disposition, signifying approval and welcome when radiant, or anger and judgment when frowning. This directly impacts his subjects.

• is life (חַיִּ֑ים - chayyim):

  • Hebrew term: חַיִּים (chayyim).
  • Meaning: Life, lives, vitality, well-being, prosperity, thriving.
  • Significance: More than mere existence, it implies flourishing and security. The king's approval and favor directly lead to improved conditions and vitality for the people, ensuring their physical and economic well-being.

• and his favor (וּרְצוֹנֹ֖ו - u'r'tzonōw):

  • Hebrew term: רָצוֹן (ratson).
  • Meaning: Favor, goodwill, pleasure, delight, acceptance, benevolence.
  • Significance: This speaks to the active decision and inclination of the king to bestow blessings or act benevolently, an intentional outpouring of goodwill.

• is like a cloud (כְּעָב - k'av):

  • Hebrew terms: כְּ (k') - like, as; עָב ('av) - cloud, thick cloud.
  • Meaning: A cloud bringing moisture. Clouds are a harbinger of rain, and thus life and blessing in arid regions.
  • Significance: Clouds suggest the substantial and comprehensive nature of the favor. They bring an impending, assured blessing, signaling abundance to come.

• of the spring rain (מַלְק֖וֹשׁ - malqōsh):

  • Hebrew term: מַלְקוֹשׁ (malqosh).
  • Meaning: The latter rain, or spring rain. This rain, falling in late winter/early spring, was critically important for the final swelling of crops before harvest.
  • Significance: It represents indispensable, timely, and abundant provision. Without the malqosh, the harvest would fail, leading to famine. Thus, the king's favor is as essential as this life-sustaining rain for the nation's survival and prosperity.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "In the light of the king's face is life": This phrase portrays an immediate and vital connection. The sheer countenance and disposition of the king are so powerful that their radiant goodwill immediately translates into flourishing life and security for his subjects. It speaks of the king’s essence creating life.
  • "and his favor is like a cloud of the spring rain": This expands on the previous thought, providing a tangible, comprehensive analogy for the king's favor. It highlights that the king's intentional good pleasure results in practical, substantial, and timely blessings that ensure sustenance and abundance, much like the critical malqosh ensures a bountiful harvest in a land dependent on rain.

Proverbs 16 15 Bonus section

This proverb emphasizes that effective leadership extends beyond decrees and laws; it also involves the intangible yet powerful influence of a leader's character and disposition. The "light of the face" metaphor suggests transparency and genuine kindness, signifying that true favor is openly expressed and not capriciously withheld. The agricultural simile further underscores the holistic well-being derived from righteous rule, where every aspect of life, from physical sustenance to spiritual vitality, can flourish. This positions the proverb as both a standard for human governance and a theological affirmation of God as the ultimate life-giving King, whose consistent and reliable favor nourishes His people comprehensively, similar to the certainty and life-giving power of the indispensable latter rain.

Proverbs 16 15 Commentary

Proverbs 16:15 profoundly illustrates the impact of leadership, drawing on natural imagery that resonates deeply in an agrarian society. The proverb opens by declaring that the "light of the king's face" brings "life." This refers to more than just a fleeting smile; it signifies a ruler's constant, radiating benevolence and approval. In cultures where the monarch's decision could be the difference between life and death, such a disposition ensured security, prosperity, and joy for the populace. It highlights the deep dependency of a people on their leader's good will. The proverb then intensifies this by stating the king's favor is like "a cloud of the spring rain" (malqosh). The malqosh was the crucial final rain of the season, without which crops would wither, leading to widespread famine. Thus, the king's favor is depicted as not just beneficial, but absolutely indispensable for the nation's flourishing and survival, ensuring bountiful harvests and sustained well-being. This wisdom not only instructs human kings on ideal governance—to rule with justice and grace, reflecting divine character—but ultimately points to God Himself. As the supreme King, God's shining face truly bestows abundant life, and His constant, unfailing favor is the ultimate source of all spiritual and material blessing, surpassing any earthly provision.

• Examples:
  • A compassionate leader whose open-door policy creates an environment of trust and empowers his team to thrive.
  • A just government whose stable laws and policies allow commerce and agriculture to flourish, benefitting all citizens.
  • A mentor whose consistent encouragement and wise counsel helps a mentee achieve unexpected success and personal growth.