Proverbs 25:23

Authorized King James Version

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The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

Original Language Analysis

ר֣וּחַ wind H7307
ר֣וּחַ wind
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 1 of 8
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
צָ֭פוֹן The north H6828
צָ֭פוֹן The north
Strong's: H6828
Word #: 2 of 8
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל driveth away H2342
תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל driveth away
Strong's: H2342
Word #: 3 of 8
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
גָּ֑שֶׁם rain H1653
גָּ֑שֶׁם rain
Strong's: H1653
Word #: 4 of 8
a shower
וּפָנִ֥ים countenance H6440
וּפָנִ֥ים countenance
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 5 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים so doth an angry H2194
נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים so doth an angry
Strong's: H2194
Word #: 6 of 8
properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e., to be enraged
לְשׁ֣וֹן tongue H3956
לְשׁ֣וֹן tongue
Strong's: H3956
Word #: 7 of 8
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
סָֽתֶר׃ a backbiting H5643
סָֽתֶר׃ a backbiting
Strong's: H5643
Word #: 8 of 8
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)

Analysis & Commentary

The north wind brings forth rain; a backbiting tongue brings angry looks. The Hebrew 'chuwl' (brings forth/births) and 'ragan' (whisper/slander) describes gossip's inevitable consequences. Meteorological observation becomes moral lesson: gossip produces anger as surely as north wind produces rain. Cause-effect relationship is predictable. If you gossip, expect angry response when discovered. Slander breeds anger; truthful speech builds trust.

Historical Context

Proverbs repeatedly condemns gossip and slander (11:13, 16:28, 18:8, 20:19, 26:20-22). Ancient communities' closeness made gossip especially destructive. James 3:5-6 describes tongue's destructive power: 'Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.' Modern social media exponentially amplifies gossip's reach and damage. Wisdom requires guarding speech carefully.

Questions for Reflection