Proverbs 25 · Verse 23

Proverbs 25:23

The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
Proverbs 25:23, King James Version

Proverbs 25:23 in other translations

BSBAs the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
WEBThe north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
ASVThe north wind bringeth forth rain; So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
YLTA north wind bringeth forth rain, And a secret tongue--indignant faces.
DARBYThe north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
BBEAs the north wind gives birth to rain, so is an angry face caused by a tongue saying evil secretly.
WebsterThe north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

What does Proverbs 25:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. Better, "As the north wind bringeth forth (Psa 90:2) or produces rain, so does a concealed or slandering tongue produce anger."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 The north wind driveth away rain - The margin has, "The north wind bringeth forth rain." It is said that the "north wind brings forth rain at Jerusalem, because it brings with it the vapours arising from the sea that lies north of it." The marginal is the true reading; and is supported by the Chaldee, Syriac, and Septuagint; but the Arabic reads south wind. A backbiting tongue - A hidden tongue.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 25:23 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ר֣וּחַRu.acha wind ofH7307
צָ֭פוֹןTza.fon[the] northH6828
תְּח֣וֹלֵֽלte.Cho.lelit brings forthH2342
גָּ֑שֶׁםGa.shemrainH1653
וּפָנִ֥יםu.fa.Nimand facesH6440
נִ֝זְעָמִ֗יםniz.'a.MimindignantH2194
לְשׁ֣וֹןle.Shona tongue ofH3956
סָֽתֶר\׃Sa.tersecrecyH5643

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 25:23

  • Proverbs 26:20

    Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:20

    For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

  • Psalms 15:3

    He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

  • Romans 1:30

    Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

  • Job 37:22

    Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.

  • Psalms 101:5

    Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
north.
Job 37:22
driveth, etc. or, bringeth forth rain; so doth a backbitingtongue an angry countenance. Monconys says, that when travelling on the second of January, 1648, from Tripoli in Syria, between Lebanon and the sea, it rained without ceasing, while the north wind blew directly in his face.
so.
26:20; Ps 15:3; 101:5; Ro 1:30; 2Co 12:20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 25:22

    For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.

  • Proverbs 25:23

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

  • Proverbs 25:24

    It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

Read all of Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El viento del norte ahuyenta la lluvia, y el rostro airado la lengua detractora.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Le vent du nord enfante les averses; et les visages indignés, une langue qui médit en secret.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Nordwind gebiert Regen, und eine heimliche Zunge verdrießliche Gesichter.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.