Proverbs 16:14
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Original Language Analysis
מַלְאֲכֵי
is as messengers
H4397
מַלְאֲכֵי
is as messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
3 of 7
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
מָ֑וֶת
of death
H4194
מָ֑וֶת
of death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
4 of 7
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
וְאִ֖ישׁ
man
H376
וְאִ֖ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 7
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern monarchs held life-and-death authority. Provoking royal wrath brought execution (Esther 1:12-22, Daniel 2:12-13). Wise courtiers like Esther (Esther 5:1-8), Abigail (1 Samuel 25), and the wise woman of Abel (2 Samuel 20:16-22) pacified dangerous anger through prudence. The proverb taught survival skills in royal courts while pointing to deeper truth—God's wrath requires the perfect Wise Man, Christ, to pacify it through atonement.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when facing anger from authority figures—with wisdom or foolishness?
- In what sense is God's wrath like a king's, and how has Christ pacified it for believers?
- What does wise, Spirit-led communication look like when addressing difficult authority figures?
Analysis & Commentary
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. Chamat-melekh mal'akhey-mavet (חֲמַת־מֶלֶךְ מַלְאֲכֵי־מָוֶת, the wrath of a king—messengers of death). Royal anger dispatches death like sending messengers. Ve'ish chakham yekhaperennah (וְאִישׁ חָכָם יְכַפְּרֶנָּה, but a wise man will pacify it). Kaphar (כָּפַר, atone, pacify, appease) describes the wise person's skillful calming of dangerous wrath. Ancient kings wielded absolute power—provoking their anger meant death. Wisdom navigates this perilously. Ultimately, God's wrath requires atonement only Christ provides (Romans 5:9).