Proverbs 19:19 kjv

A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

Proverbs 19:19 nkjv

A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

Proverbs 19:19 niv

A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

Proverbs 19:19 esv

A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

Proverbs 19:19 nlt

Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty.
If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

Proverbs 19 verses

Proverbs 19 19 Meaning

This verse provides a crucial warning against repeatedly intervening on behalf of a person characterized by impulsive and destructive anger. It communicates that an individual prone to furious outbursts must, and ultimately will, experience the natural or imposed consequences of their actions. Continuously rescuing or shielding them from these repercussions does not lead to their change, but rather perpetuates a cycle where they remain uncorrected, obligating the rescuer to intercede again and again. The true wisdom lies in allowing them to face the "penalty" so that they might learn and potentially reform their behavior.

Proverbs 19 19 Context

The Book of Proverbs is a collection of practical wisdom for living a godly life, primarily instructing young people in discernment and the paths of righteousness versus folly. Chapter 19 is an anthology of disparate proverbs, often contrasting virtuous traits with undesirable ones, and highlighting the consequences of various behaviors, whether good or bad. Within this chapter, there are admonitions about laziness (19:15), the value of obedience (19:16), kindness to the poor (19:17), and discipline of children (19:18). Proverbs 19:19 specifically addresses the volatile individual, situating it within a broader discourse on character development, self-control, and the inherent consequences of one's actions and temperament. It is part of the general wisdom of not enabling destructive patterns.

Proverbs 19 19 Word analysis

• A hot-tempered man (אִישׁ חֲמַת – ish chamat): "Ish" refers to a man or person. "Chamat" (from the root חֵמָה – chemah) denotes fierce anger, rage, wrath, or intense heat. This phrase describes someone not merely experiencing a fleeting emotion, but an individual whose character is defined by a quick, uncontrollable, and destructive temper. It suggests a fundamental disposition towards rage.
• must pay the penalty (יִשָּׂא עֹנֶשׁ – yissa onesh): "Yissa" (from the root נשׂא – nasa) means to lift, carry, bear, or suffer. "Onesh" signifies a penalty, fine, punishment, or retribution. This conveys the inevitability that such a person will face unpleasant consequences or experience deserved repercussions for their actions. It implies an natural order where destructive behavior results in commensurate suffering.
• for if you rescue him (כִּי אִם תַּצִּילֵהוּ – ki im tatzilēhu): "Ki im" introduces a conditional clause. "Tatzilēhu" (from the root נצל – natzal) means to deliver, save, snatch away, or rescue. This phrase highlights the act of interceding on behalf of the hot-tempered person, pulling them out of the trouble they have brought upon themselves or preventing them from experiencing the full force of the penalty.
• you will have to do it again (וְהוֹסַפְתָּ עוֹד לְהַצִּיל – ve'hosafta od l'hatzil / as in Masoretic text: וְאִם תַּצִּילֶנּוּ כִּי תוֹסִף - ki tosiph v'hatziltā, 'you will save him, you will only add to it'): The key terms here are "tosiph" (from יסף – yasaf), meaning to add, continue, or do again, and "od," meaning still, yet, or repeatedly. The sense is that intervening once will only lead to further interventions being required, establishing a fruitless and perpetuating cycle. It warns against a compassionate act that, due to repetition, enables further negative behavior rather than fostering correction.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty": This initial declaration establishes a foundational truth about human conduct. It underscores divine order where personal accountability is inherent; unchecked anger naturally leads to consequences, whether social, legal, or personal.
• "for if you rescue him, you will have to do it again": This clause provides the explanatory rationale and caution for the initial statement. It explains that well-meaning, yet misplaced, intervention actually prevents the natural learning process that arises from consequences. It describes a futile and exhausting cycle of rescuing someone from the results of their character, only for them to repeat the behavior because the lesson was never truly learned.

Proverbs 19 19 Bonus section

This proverb illustrates a profound principle in parenting, discipleship, and relational dynamics: the paradox of rescue. While mercy and help are virtues, there are circumstances where continually saving someone from the logical fallout of their choices can hinder their development of responsibility and self-control. This concept resonates deeply in many therapeutic and guidance models today. The verse encourages discernment, suggesting that tough love, in the form of allowing consequences to unfold, is sometimes the most loving path towards transformation. It warns against becoming an unwilling enabler in another person's cycle of destruction.

Proverbs 19 19 Commentary

Proverbs 19:19 provides timeless wisdom on engaging with chronically angry individuals. The verse asserts that a person given to explosive fits of temper will invariably face negative repercussions for their actions. The critical warning then follows: consistently shielding such an individual from these deserved penalties does not aid them; instead, it encourages their destructive patterns, preventing personal growth and perpetuating the cycle of rescue. True wisdom suggests that allowing a hot-tempered person to experience the natural outcome of their rage is a necessary, albeit often difficult, form of discipline that can motivate self-reflection and genuine change. It advises against misguided compassion that enables continued self-destruction.