Proverbs 22:24 kjv

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

Proverbs 22:24 nkjv

Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go,

Proverbs 22:24 niv

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,

Proverbs 22:24 esv

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,

Proverbs 22:24 nlt

Don't befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,

Proverbs 22 verses

Proverbs 22 24 Meaning

Proverbs 22:24 is a wisdom admonition advising against forming close associations with individuals who are prone to anger or outbursts of wrath. The verse underscores the importance of choosing companions carefully to avoid negative influences and to maintain one's own peace and righteousness. It teaches that proximity to a quarrelsome and irascible person can corrupt one's character, leading them to adopt similar destructive patterns of behavior.

Proverbs 22 24 Context

Proverbs 22:24 is situated within the "Sayings of the Wise" (Proverbs 22:17-24:34), a collection distinct from Solomon's proverbs, yet echoing similar themes of practical wisdom for righteous living. This section, particularly, provides instructions for dealing with various types of people and situations, offering ethical guidance for social interactions. The verses immediately preceding it (Prov 22:22-23) deal with oppressing the poor, while subsequent verses address debt, land boundaries, and gluttony. Within this context, Proverbs 22:24 highlights the crucial role of discernment in choosing companions, recognizing that one's associates significantly shape their character and destiny. The advice reflects the ancient Israelite understanding that social ties deeply influence moral development and that wisdom entails protecting oneself from corrupting influences for the sake of communal peace and individual flourishing within the covenant community. It stands as a timeless warning against entanglement with contentious spirits in a society where personal relationships were paramount.

Proverbs 22 24 Word analysis

• Make no friendship (אַל־תִּתְרַע – al-tit'ra')

  • אַל־ (al-) : A particle indicating strong prohibition, "do not."
  • תִּתְרַע (tit'ra') : From the root רָעַע (ra'a'), which has a range of meanings including "to break," "to be evil," and, in the Hithpael stem (as here), "to make oneself a friend," "to associate intimately with." This implies entering into a close, reciprocal relationship or partnership, not merely casual acquaintance. The warning is against forming a deep, binding connection.

• man given to anger (בַּעַל חֵמָה – ba'al chemāh)

  • בַּעַל (ba'al) : Literally "owner" or "master," but used here idiomatically to mean "one belonging to," "given over to," or "possessing a quality." It suggests that anger has mastered this individual.
  • חֵמָה (chemāh) : Refers to "hot displeasure," "rage," "fury," or "wrath." It denotes intense, often explosive and violent, anger. The phrase implies someone who is habitually prone to fierce anger, an inherent characteristic rather than an occasional emotion.

• nor go with (וְאֶת־אִישׁ – v'et-ish...)

  • וְאֶת־ (v'et-) : "and with," introducing the parallel thought and reinforcing the prohibition.
  • אִישׁ (ish) : "man," a generic term for a male person.

• a wrathful man (חֵמ֥וֹת – chemot)

  • Here, the word chemāh is in the plural form, chemot. This could indicate "fits of rage" or "various forms of anger," suggesting someone who repeatedly experiences or displays intense fury. It emphasizes the persistent and multifaceted nature of their angry disposition. The phrase "go with" (implied after "nor") suggests associating with such a person in travel, daily life, or joint endeavors. The combined force of "make no friendship" and "nor go with" highlights both the avoidance of intimate bonds and even shared journeys or regular companionship.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Make no friendship with a man given to anger": This phrase emphasizes the prohibition against entering into deep, intimate covenantal relationships or close alliances with someone who is habitually governed by anger. Such an individual's "master" is their temper, leading to instability and potential conflict. The wisdom is about discerning character before commitment.

• "nor go with a wrathful man": This second parallel line expands the prohibition to include even sustained companionship or journeying together. The "wrathful man" (specifically with the plural chemot) suggests one who is given to repeated or diverse manifestations of fury. "Going with" implies sharing experiences, space, and time, which will inevitably expose one to and potentially implicate one in their outbursts and resulting troubles.

Proverbs 22 24 Bonus section

The emphasis in Proverbs 22:24-25 is not merely on the unpleasantness of an angry person, but on the contagion of character. Wisdom literature frequently warns about the impact of peer influence, highlighting that one tends to become like those with whom they associate intimately. An angry person's "ways" are not just their occasional outbursts but their patterns of reacting, their lack of self-control, and their contentious spirit, all of which can "get a snare to thy soul." This means that imitating such ways becomes a spiritual trap, hindering one's growth in righteousness and peace. The instruction implicitly encourages the cultivation of virtues such as patience, gentleness, and self-control, qualities antithetical to the angry individual. Avoiding wrathful company is thus an active step in pursuing personal sanctification and mirroring the character of God, who is "slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Ps 145:8).

Proverbs 22 24 Commentary

Proverbs 22:24 serves as a crucial piece of relational wisdom, cautioning believers against close association with quarrelsome and ill-tempered individuals. The core rationale, elaborated in the subsequent verse (Prov 22:25), is the danger of absorbing their harmful ways: "Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." This implies that continuous exposure to uncontrolled anger can normalize such behavior, lead one to imitate it, or draw one into their conflicts, thereby corrupting one's own character and bringing spiritual harm. It is a protective measure to safeguard one's integrity, peace of mind, and spiritual health. The counsel does not forbid polite interaction or showing kindness, but strongly advises against intimate bonds that lead to shared values, experiences, and lifestyle patterns. Choosing one's companions wisely is presented as a fundamental aspect of walking in wisdom and preserving godliness.

• Practical Examples:
  • Avoiding forming a close business partnership with someone known for explosive temper.
  • Choosing not to spend excessive leisure time with friends who consistently display aggressive behavior.
  • Discerningly limiting close confidantes to those who exhibit self-control and peacefulness.