Proverbs 19:12

12 The 1king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like 2dew on the grass.

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 Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.
11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
12 The king's wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is destruction to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.
14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD .

Cross References 2

  • 1. Proverbs 16:14
  • 2. Genesis 27:28; Deuteronomy 33:28; Psalms 133:3; Hosea 14:5; Micah 5:7
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