Proverbs 29:22

Authorized King James Version

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An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Original Language Analysis

אִֽישׁ man H376
אִֽישׁ man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 1 of 8
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)
אַ֭ף An angry H639
אַ֭ף An angry
Strong's: H639
Word #: 2 of 8
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
יְגָרֶ֣ה stirreth up H1624
יְגָרֶ֣ה stirreth up
Strong's: H1624
Word #: 3 of 8
properly, to grate, i.e., (figuratively) to anger
מָד֑וֹן strife H4066
מָד֑וֹן strife
Strong's: H4066
Word #: 4 of 8
a contest or quarrel
וּבַ֖עַל man H1167
וּבַ֖עַל man
Strong's: H1167
Word #: 5 of 8
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
חֵמָ֣ה and a furious H2534
חֵמָ֣ה and a furious
Strong's: H2534
Word #: 6 of 8
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
רַב aboundeth in H7227
רַב aboundeth in
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 7 of 8
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
פָּֽשַׁע׃ transgression H6588
פָּֽשַׁע׃ transgression
Strong's: H6588
Word #: 8 of 8
a revolt (national, moral or religious)

Analysis & Commentary

An angry man stirreth up strife—The ish af (man of anger) literally 'a man of nostrils' (Hebrew idiom for wrath) actively instigates madon (strife, contention). The causative verb indicates he doesn't merely participate in conflict—he generates it.

Furthermore, a furious man aboundeth in transgression. The ba'al chemah (master of fury, hot-tempered man) multiplies pesha (transgression, rebellion). Uncontrolled anger doesn't stop at one sin; it cascades into multiple violations. Proverbs 14:29: 'He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.' Ephesians 4:26 counsels: 'Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.'

Historical Context

Israel's history shows anger's destructive consequences: Moses's anger cost him entrance to Canaan (Numbers 20:10-12), Saul's fury endangered David (1 Samuel 20), Jonah's anger blinded him to God's mercy (Jonah 4). Ancient wisdom recognized that unchecked wrath destabilizes communities and families.

Questions for Reflection

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