Proverbs 20:2

2 The wrath of a king is like the loud cry of a lion: he who makes him angry does wrong against himself.

Proverbs 20:2 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 20:2

The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a lion
The wrath and displeasure of a king, which causes fear; see ( Proverbs 19:12 ) ; kings should be terrors to evil works and workers, though not to good ones, ( Romans 13:3 ) . This is true of the King of kings, who one day will be terrible to the drunkards, the mockers, and murderers of his people, before spoken of; [whoso] provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own soul;
he exposes his life to danger: the Targum supplies it as we do. It may be rendered, his "soul sinneth" ^F1; he is guilty of sin, as well as is in danger of punishment; see ( Proverbs 8:36 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 (wvpn ajwx) .

Proverbs 20:2 In-Context

1 Wine makes men foolish, and strong drink makes men come to blows; and whoever comes into error through these is not wise.

2 The wrath of a king is like the loud cry of a lion: he who makes him angry does wrong against himself.

3 It is an honour for a man to keep from fighting, but the foolish are ever at war.

4 The hater of work will not do his ploughing because of the winter; so at the time of grain-cutting he will be requesting food and will get nothing.

5 The purpose in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of good sense will get it out.