Proverbs 19:12

12 The king's anger is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like welcome rain.

Proverbs 19:12 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:12

The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion
Which is very terrible when hungry, and is after its prey, and has got it. Kings, especially tyrannical ones, are compared to lions; as Nebuchadnezzar by Jeremiah, ( Jeremiah 4:17 ) ( 50:17 ) ; and Nero by the Apostle Paul, ( 2 Timothy 4:7 ) ; and the rage of such is very dreadful, as Ahasuerus's was to Haman. Jarchi interprets the king, of the holy blessed God. It may be applied to Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah; who is said to cry with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth; and whose wrath is terrible to wicked men, and even to the kings of the earth, ( Revelation 5:5 ) ( 10:3 ) ( 6:15-17 ) ; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass;
which refreshes and revives it, and causes it to grow and flourish: and so the favour and good will of a king to his subjects delights them, and causes joy and cheerfulness in them; and such an effect has the love of God and Christ on the children of men, ( Hosea 14:6 ) .

Proverbs 19:12 In-Context

10 Fools should not live in luxury, and slaves should not rule over noblemen.
11 If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it.
12 The king's anger is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like welcome rain.
13 Stupid children can bring their parents to ruin. A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip.
14 A man can inherit a house and money from his parents, but only the Lord can give him a sensible wife.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.