The Meaning of Proverbs 25:14 Explained

Proverbs 25:14

KJV: Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

YLT: Clouds and wind, and rain there is none, Is a man boasting himself in a false gift.

Darby: Clouds and wind without rain, so is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.

ASV: As clouds and wind without rain,'so is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Whoso  boasteth  himself of a false  gift  [is like] clouds  and wind  without rain. 

What does Proverbs 25:14 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:1-14 - Words Fitly Spoken
This collection of proverbs was made. 250years after the time of Solomon by the scribes of King Hezekiah. The glory of God is too great to be disclosed to the vulgar eye of mere curiosity, but it will be unfolded to royal souls that seek for it as for hid treasure"¦. The great rulers of the world must have their secret counsels, but they should be freed from evil counselors, as gold from dross"¦. Compare Proverbs 25:6 and Proverbs 25:7 with Luke 14:8-10"¦. Second thoughts are best; sleep over your plan or letter; be deliberate in planning and prompt in acting on the plan when formed"¦. Don't reveal to another a cause of offense that should be adjusted between yourself and your neighbor, Matthew 18:15"¦. A word happily adapted to a circumstance is like an apple of gold, that is, an orange, in a basket of silver filigree-work."¦ As drink cooled with snow refreshes the thirsty reaper, so is a messenger who faithfully executes his errand to the master who sent him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:14 mean?

[Is like] clouds and wind and rain Without Whoever boasts of giving falsely
נְשִׂיאִ֣ים וְ֭רוּחַ וְגֶ֣שֶׁם אָ֑יִן אִ֥ישׁ מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל בְּמַתַּת־ שָֽׁקֶר

נְשִׂיאִ֣ים  [Is  like]  clouds 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: נָשִׂיא 
Sense: one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader.
וְ֭רוּחַ  and  wind 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, common singular
Root: רוּחַ  
Sense: wind, breath, mind, spirit.
וְגֶ֣שֶׁם  and  rain 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֶּשֶׁם  
Sense: rain, shower.
אָ֑יִן  Without 
Parse: Adverb
Root: אַיִן 
Sense: nothing, not, nought n.
אִ֥ישׁ  Whoever 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל  boasts 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Participle, masculine singular
Root: הָלַל 
Sense: to shine.
בְּמַתַּת־  of  giving 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: מַתַּת  
Sense: gift, reward.
שָֽׁקֶר  falsely 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֶׁקֶר  
Sense: lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood.