Proverbs 25:22 kjv

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

Proverbs 25:22 nkjv

For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.

Proverbs 25:22 niv

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Proverbs 25:22 esv

for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Proverbs 25:22 nlt

You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
and the LORD will reward you.

Proverbs 25 verses

Proverbs 25 22 Meaning

Proverbs 25:22 advises a counter-intuitive yet deeply wise approach to one's adversary: treating them with active kindness, even when they are in need. This act of benevolence, by providing basic necessities like food and water, is said to "heap burning coals on his head." This phrase is primarily understood to mean inflicting deep shame and remorse upon the recipient, or leading to their repentance, rather than literal harm. The ultimate outcome for the one showing kindness is God's assured reward. The verse therefore promotes overcoming evil with good, fostering reconciliation through generosity, and trusting divine justice.

Proverbs 25 22 Context

Proverbs 25 falls within a section titled "Further Proverbs of Solomon that the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied" (Prov 25:1). This implies a collection of older Solomonic wisdom that was curated and potentially updated during the reform period of King Hezekiah (circa 715-686 BC). This specific verse (25:22) forms a couplet with 25:21, directly linked by the opening "For so." Proverbs 25:21-22 gives direct instructions on how to interact with an enemy who is vulnerable. It contrasts with a common "lex talionis" (law of retaliation) mentality prevalent in many ancient cultures, promoting instead a higher ethical standard of proactive benevolence towards an adversary. This practical wisdom offers a path to diffusing hostility and potentially transforming an adversarial relationship.

Proverbs 25 22 Word analysis

• For so (כִּי - kī): This particle serves as an intensifier and an explanatory conjunction, linking the outcome described in verse 22 directly to the action proposed in verse 21. It indicates that the stated effect (heaping burning coals) is a direct consequence of the action (feeding and giving water to an enemy). It asserts a strong cause-and-effect relationship in wisdom literature.
• you will heap (תַּחְתֶּה - taḥtāh): From the Hebrew root חתה (ḥāṯâ), meaning "to gather" or "to heap up." In this context, it suggests an intentional, decisive act of accumulation. The action is yours; it is a direct result of your conscious choice. This is not something that passively happens but is actively done.
• burning coals (גֶּחָלִים - gechālîm): The Hebrew plural noun gechālîm specifically refers to hot embers or glowing coals. This is the central metaphorical image of the verse and holds multiple interpretations informed by ancient Near Eastern customs and biblical parallels:
  1. Shame and Remorse: The most widely accepted view among scholars. The "burning" sensation is symbolic of deep humiliation, guilt, and emotional pain experienced by the enemy upon receiving undeserved kindness from someone they wronged or considered an enemy. It forces them to confront their own hostile behavior in light of your generosity, potentially leading to repentance or a change of heart. This aligns with a possible ancient Egyptian practice where carrying hot coals on the head symbolized public repentance or extreme distress.
  2. Figurative purification: The fire imagery can symbolize a refining process, where the kindness, like fire, purifies the enemy's heart or motives. This may lead them to reconsider their animosity and seek reconciliation.
  3. Divine Vengeance (Less Likely Direct Meaning): While God will reward you, and His justice will ultimately prevail, the "coals" are specifically heaped by your action of kindness, not directly by God as a form of immediate punishment. However, by transforming the relationship, it might bring the adversary closer to divine justice if they persist in evil.
• on his head (עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ - ‘al-ro’šô): This phrase emphasizes the highly visible and acutely felt nature of the "coals." The head is a prominent and sensitive part of the body, making the sensation immediate and inescapable. Metaphorically, it implies a burden of conscience or public shame that is difficult to ignore. In biblical imagery, things on the head often signify public recognition, status, or profound experience.
• and the LORD (וַיהוָה֙ - waYHWH): The use of the personal covenant name of God, Yahweh, emphasizes His personal involvement and reliability. It grounds the promise of reward in the faithfulness and justice of God Himself. It's not just a good outcome; it's a divine promise.
• will reward you (יְשַׁלֶּם־לָֽךְ - y^ešallem-lāḵ): From the Hebrew root שׁלם (shālam), which means "to be complete," "to be sound," and in the Piel stem, "to repay" or "recompense." This assures the one showing kindness that their act will not go unnoticed or unrequited. The reward is certain and guaranteed by God Himself. It speaks to God's justice and His favor towards those who act righteously and extend mercy. The nature of the reward is unspecified, implying it is God's perfect recompense, often spiritual or relational, though it may include tangible blessings.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For so you will heap burning coals on his head": This phrase captures the transformative power of proactive kindness. It asserts that benevolent action towards an enemy has a profound, sometimes uncomfortable, psychological impact on them. This impact, like the discomfort of burning coals, leads to either intense shame, self-reflection, or a recognition of one's own wrongdoing in contrast to the kindness received. It suggests that strategic acts of love are more potent than retaliation in subduing an adversary.
• "and the LORD will reward you": This provides the divine impetus and assurance. The motivation for this difficult act is not merely altruism or human strategy, but a confident trust in God's oversight and recompense. It reinforces the biblical principle that acts of righteousness, especially those challenging to human nature, are always seen and honored by God. This promise makes the challenging instruction a viable and appealing path.

Proverbs 25 22 Bonus section

The metaphor of "heaping burning coals on his head" finds some ancient parallels in Egyptian rituals, where a penitent person would carry a basin of glowing coals on their head to signify their remorse and humble repentance to the community. While not explicitly cited in the biblical text, this cultural context provides a vivid backdrop for understanding the psychological effect implied. It signifies a painful public or private recognition of one's wrongdoings, which is a key part of true repentance. Thus, the wisdom of Proverbs 25:22 isn't merely about strategic psychological warfare, but about leading an adversary to a place where they confront their own conduct and are moved towards reconciliation or transformation, guided by God's principle of love. This verse beautifully bridges practical human interaction with the profound ethical teachings concerning divine justice and love for others.

Proverbs 25 22 Commentary

Proverbs 25:22, taken in conjunction with 25:21, offers a profound strategy for engaging with adversaries: not through retaliation or passivity, but through active, unsolicited kindness. The "burning coals" metaphor is key; it refers not to physical harm but to a powerful psychological and moral impact. When one's enemy receives unmerited favor and care (food, water) from the one they oppose, it exposes the contrast between their hostility and the unexpected generosity. This disarms the enemy by stripping away the moral justification for their enmity, ideally leading to introspection, shame, and potentially a change of heart. It transforms the dynamic from conflict to an opportunity for redemption. The concluding promise, "and the LORD will reward you," underscores the divine backing for such an ethic. It removes the pressure of expecting gratitude or change from the enemy as the primary motivation. The act is performed out of obedience and faith in God's ultimate justice and recompense, regardless of the enemy's response. This wisdom teaches reliance on divine power to achieve a positive outcome (personal reward and potential enemy transformation) through human acts of self-sacrificial love, providing a foundational principle that anticipates New Testament teachings on loving one's enemies and overcoming evil with good.

• Example for Practical Usage: When a coworker frequently undermines your efforts or speaks negatively about you, instead of reciprocating with similar behavior or engaging in gossip, actively offer to help them with a challenging task they are struggling with, or commend them for a genuine achievement in front of others. This unexpected kindness can generate inner conflict or discomfort in them ("heaping coals") as it contradicts their negative perception of you, potentially leading them to reconsider their actions and attitude.
• Example for Practical Usage: If a neighbor constantly complains about trivial matters or acts rudely, offer to pick up groceries for them when you go, or assist them with a yard task they find difficult. Such acts of unprompted generosity often dismantle animosity and replace it with a sense of indebtedness or genuine goodwill.