Proverbs 29:22 kjv

An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Proverbs 29:22 nkjv

An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression.

Proverbs 29:22 niv

An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

Proverbs 29:22 esv

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Proverbs 29:22 nlt

An angry person starts fights;
a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

Proverbs 29 verses

Proverbs 29 22 Meaning

Proverbs 29:22 reveals the direct and escalating consequences of unchecked anger. It states that an individual consumed by anger naturally ignites conflict and quarrels among people. Furthermore, a person characterized by furious rage will inevitably find themselves accumulating more and more acts of sin and rebellion against divine law and right living. The verse underscores anger as a destructive force, leading both to external discord and internal moral decay.

Proverbs 29 22 Context

Proverbs chapter 29 continues to explore the stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked, particularly focusing on their character traits and the consequences for themselves, their families, and society. The surrounding verses in this chapter speak of the effects of leadership, the need for discipline, the importance of obedience, and the nature of the proud and humble. Verse 22 specifically highlights a destructive character flaw—uncontrolled anger—and links it to its inevitable outcomes: creating discord (strife) and accumulating more sin (transgression). This counsel aligns with the overall practical wisdom of Proverbs, which guides individuals toward a life of harmony and righteousness, warning against behaviors that disrupt community and defile the soul. Historically, the teaching would have been crucial for maintaining peace and order within ancient Israelite communities, where unchecked personal feuds could easily escalate and disrupt the social fabric.

Proverbs 29 22 Word analysis

• An angry man (איש אף - 'ish 'aph):
  • 'ish (איש): "man," or "male human being." It can denote a general person but often emphasizes the masculine role or person.
  • 'aph (אף): Literally "nose," but idiomatically refers to "anger," "wrath," or "fury." The idiom comes from the flaring nostrils associated with intense anger. So, an "angry man" is one characterized by or quick to wrath. This term emphasizes a core disposition rather than just a fleeting emotion.
• stirs up (יגרה - yegarreh):
  • This verb comes from the root garah (גרה), meaning "to stir up," "to provoke," "to contend," "to quarrel." It implies an active role in initiating or escalating conflict, not just passively being affected by it. It suggests agitation and incitement.
• strife (מדנים - midhanim):
  • From the root din (דין), meaning "to judge" or "to contend." Midhanim refers to quarrels, contentions, disputes, or litigious situations. It signifies discord, antagonism, and opposition in relationships or communities.
• and a furious man (ובעל חמה - uva'al hemah):
  • u (ו): "and," connects the two parallel phrases, suggesting a continuation or intensification.
  • ba'al (בעל): "owner," "master," "possessor." Here, it denotes one who is dominated by or has a propensity for something. A "master of anger" implies a deeper, more pervasive and intense form of rage than simply being "an angry man."
  • hemah (חמה): This term for "fury" or "wrath" is often stronger and more intense than 'aph. It can describe burning indignation, fierce rage, or even God's intense righteous anger. Its association with "heat" implies a boiling, uncontrollable emotion.
• abounds in (רב - rab):
  • Literally "much," "great," or "many." When combined with pesha, it means to "multiply," "increase," or "be full of." It indicates a high quantity or frequent occurrence.
• transgression (פשע - pesha'):
  • This is a strong biblical term for "rebellion," "transgression," or "sin." It implies a deliberate overstepping of boundaries, a breaking of trust, or an act of unfaithfulness against God or human law. It goes beyond simple error and denotes an intentional moral offense.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "An angry man stirs up strife": This clause establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship. The very nature of a quick-tempered individual is to disrupt peace and incite arguments. It focuses on the external consequence of anger, affecting relationships and communal harmony. The progression from an internal state (anger) to an external action (stirring strife) is explicit.
• "and a furious man abounds in transgression": This second clause intensifies the picture. It describes a deeper, more entrenched state of anger (hemah), which not only causes external conflict but primarily leads to an internal moral deterioration and a proliferation of sin. It highlights that uncontrolled rage isn't just socially disruptive but spiritually corrupting, pushing the individual into a cycle of more deliberate sin and rebellion. The parallelism uses two different, but related, Hebrew words for anger ('aph and hemah) and two different, but related, consequences (strife and transgression), showing both the direct and cumulative negative impacts.

Proverbs 29 22 Bonus section

The distinction between 'aph (anger) and hemah (fury/wrath) in Hebrew thought suggests a scale of emotional intensity, where hemah represents a more consuming, intense form of anger that burns deeply. While some forms of anger can be righteous (as seen with God's anger against sin, or even Jesus's anger against the money-changers), Proverbs consistently condemns sinful, human anger, linking it directly to foolishness, destruction, and spiritual decay. The verse does not imply a passive state but an active choice to indulge and perpetuate the anger, thereby ensuring its detrimental outcomes. The path away from such destruction lies in seeking wisdom, patience, and the cultivation of self-control as guided by God's Word, replacing destructive anger with meekness, love, and a desire for peace.

Proverbs 29 22 Commentary

Proverbs 29:22 powerfully illustrates the destructive trajectory of unbridled anger. It presents a progression from initial irritability or short temper to full-blown furious rage, and from external interpersonal conflict to an increasing burden of personal sin. The "angry man" doesn't just accidentally encounter strife; his very disposition "stirs it up," acting as a catalyst for discord in his environment. This leads to broken relationships, damaged communities, and an atmosphere of tension.

The proverb then deepens the consequence: the "furious man," someone possessed by intense wrath, isn't merely a source of external strife but internally "abounds in transgression." This implies that the inability to control one's temper pushes an individual into deeper and more deliberate acts of sin. Rage blinds judgment, incites rash words and deeds, and often leads to vengeful or unlawful actions. It moves beyond merely quarreling into active rebellion against moral or divine principles. The verse serves as a sober warning that anger, if not controlled and brought under the authority of wisdom and God's Spirit, spirals into a vicious cycle, fostering more sin and alienation both from others and from God's righteous path. This profound insight underscores the urgent need for self-control, patience, and humility.

Examples:

• A spouse with an uncontrolled temper often provokes frequent arguments and creates a perpetually tense home environment.
• A workplace supervisor known for outbursts causes team friction, poor morale, and can easily cross lines into unfair or abusive behavior.