Proverbs 20:2 kjv

The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

Proverbs 20:2 nkjv

The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

Proverbs 20:2 niv

A king's wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.

Proverbs 20:2 esv

The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.

Proverbs 20:2 nlt

The king's fury is like a lion's roar;
to rouse his anger is to risk your life.

Proverbs 20 verses

Proverbs 20 2 Meaning

Proverbs 20:2 teaches a critical lesson about wisdom in dealing with powerful authorities. It states that the king's anger is like the terrifying roar of a lion, symbolizing overwhelming power and imminent danger. Consequently, anyone who presumes to provoke or challenge such an authority directly causes harm to their own life. The verse is a profound warning against foolish rebellion or disrespectful presumption, emphasizing that defiance against powerful rulers inevitably leads to self-destruction.

Proverbs 20 2 Context

Proverbs 20, like other chapters in the book, is a collection of diverse maxims offering practical wisdom for living righteously and prosperously. This verse fits within a section that includes advice on honesty, integrity, judgment, and the dangers of various vices. The wisdom tradition in Proverbs often addresses the dynamics of power and social order, providing guidance on how individuals should interact with those in authority, including kings.

Historically and culturally, kings in the ancient Near East, including Israel, held immense power, often viewed as divinely ordained. Their word was frequently law, and their anger could literally mean the difference between life and death for their subjects. The imagery of a "lion's roaring" was universally understood as a terrifying sound indicating immediate danger and immense strength. This proverb serves as a pragmatic warning, rooted in the harsh realities of monarchical power, against a presumptuous or rebellious attitude towards the king. It underscores the high stakes involved in challenging established authority.

Proverbs 20 2 Word analysis

• The terror (חֵימַת - cheimath / khimath): While translated as "terror" or "dread," the root Hebrew word signifies "wrath," "fury," or "heat of anger." This suggests the inherent nature of the king's rage is terrifying, rather than merely the feeling it inspires. It denotes a destructive, consuming, and potent anger.

• of a king (מֶלֶךְ - melekh): Refers to a sovereign ruler. In biblical thought, kings, whether righteous or wicked, were seen as holding authority, often considered to be established by God (e.g., Rom 13:1). Therefore, their position carried immense weight and power, representing the ultimate earthly authority.

• is like the roaring (נַהֲמַת - nahamat): An onomatopoeic word vividly depicting a deep, guttural, and fearsome sound. It conveys a sense of immediate, palpable threat and raw, untamed power. This is not a subtle hint of displeasure, but an open declaration of fury.

• of a lion (אַרְיֵה - 'aryeh): The lion is a prevalent biblical symbol of strength, ferocity, danger, royalty, and even divine judgment. Its roar is a universally recognized warning of impending attack and dominance, signifying power that crushes all opposition.

• whoever provokes him to anger (מִתְחַכֵּם - mitḥakkem): This phrase is pivotal. The Hebrew mitḥakkem (from the root ḥakam, "to be wise") is in the Hithpael stem, which can indicate "showing oneself wise," "acting cunningly," or "acting presumptuously/defiantly." Here, it signifies a deliberate, arrogant, or self-aggrandizing act of challenging, instigating, or testing the king. It's not accidental irritation, but a presumptuous confrontation.

• forfeits his life (חוֹטֵא נַפְשׁוֹ - ḥôṭē' nafshō): The literal Hebrew is "sinneth against his own soul/life/self." Ḥôṭē' means to "miss the mark," "to sin," or "to incur guilt." Nafshō refers to one's "soul," "life," or "personhood." Thus, "forfeits his life" or "sins against his own soul" means that such an act of defiance is self-destructive. The individual directly brings ruin, even death, upon themselves by their own foolish action, rather than merely suffering a punishment from the king. It's a direct consequence of their own transgression against themselves by provoking powerful authority.

• "The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion": This is a powerful simile that sets a dire tone. It equates the king's wrath to the most potent and terrifying natural force known in their world. The imagery suggests overwhelming, destructive, and unavoidable danger. Just as one cannot ignore a lion's roar without peril, so too one cannot ignore or defy a king's anger.

• "whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life": This part establishes a clear, inevitable cause-and-effect relationship. The phrase mitḥakkem emphasizes that this isn't about passive misfortune but active, ill-conceived defiance. The result, "sinneth against his own soul," implies self-inflicted harm or destruction. The consequence is severe and directly tied to the individual's presumptuous act, underlining the foolishness of such behavior.

Proverbs 20 2 Bonus section

The underlying theological principle is that all earthly authority, even that of kings, is ultimately ordained or permitted by God (Rom 13:1). Therefore, a wise person's submission to legitimate human authority also reflects a proper fear and respect for divine order. While a king's terror is like a lion's roar, the ultimate "roar" that brings terror is that of the Sovereign King of Kings (Amos 3:8). Human wisdom, then, aligns itself with divine wisdom by advocating prudence and respect in the face of all power, recognizing that a truly foolish person presumes against their own well-being. This verse provides a practical, tangible reason – self-preservation – for valuing such wisdom.

Proverbs 20 2 Commentary

Proverbs 20:2 succinctly expresses a profound principle of wisdom: recognize and respect the dangerous power inherent in high authority. The "roaring lion" metaphor is chosen for its universal depiction of untamed, overwhelming might that demands immediate respect or spells imminent doom. This is not merely a descriptive warning but a direct counsel for self-preservation.

The verse is a pragmatic lesson on human relationships within a structured society, particularly concerning those in power. It highlights that certain actions, born of arrogance or defiance (the meaning embedded in mitḥakkem), will inevitably lead to one's own detriment. This is not just about avoiding external punishment from the king, but about the very act being inherently self-destructive – a "sin against one's own soul." It implores individuals to exercise extreme prudence, humility, and discretion when dealing with powerful figures. To presumptuously challenge such a person is not merely unwise, but self-annihilating.

This wisdom is applicable in various contexts, from civic obedience to general interpersonal conduct. It advises against thoughtless rebellion, insolence, or presumption when facing any form of legitimate power. Examples could include: a citizen foolishly slandering authorities; an employee openly defying a just manager; or an individual thoughtlessly crossing a powerful community leader. In all such cases, wisdom dictates prudence and respect for order to avoid bringing calamity upon oneself.