The Meaning of Proverbs 25:20 Explained

Proverbs 25:20

KJV: As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

YLT: Whoso is taking away a garment in a cold day, Is as vinegar on nitre, And a singer of songs on a sad heart.

Darby: As he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart.

ASV: As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

[As] he that taketh away  a garment  in cold  weather,  [and as] vinegar  upon nitre,  so [is] he that singeth  songs  to an heavy  heart. 

What does Proverbs 25:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:15-28 - Self-Control And Kindliness
In this paragraph we have good advice as to our dealings with the varied characters with whom we are forced into daily contact. Here is a man hard as a bone-try gentleness, for a soft tongue will win his heart, just because it finds a new and unexpected way of approach which no one else has tried for long years"¦. Beware of honeyed words; you may get stung."¦ Do not make yourself too common, or pry into your neighbor's affairs, or ask his help too often"¦. Keep clear of the tale-bearer."¦ Be very careful to whom you confide your troubles"¦. Vinegar poured on potash makes it effervesce; so joyous mirth is incongruous to a heavy heart"¦. Even if your love fails to meet your enemy, the Lord will reward you by revealing and communicating His own perfection, Matthew 5:43-48."¦ If you frown on a backbiter, you will silence him."¦ Do not give way to the wicked, lest you become a corrupted spring"¦. Rule over your spirit-nay, better, hand over its keys to Emmanuel, and let Him be crowned in Mansoul. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:20 mean?

Like one who takes away a garment in weather cold [And like] vinegar on soda and [Is] one who sings songs to a heart heavy -
מַ֥עֲדֶה בֶּ֨גֶד ׀ בְּי֣וֹם קָ֭רָה חֹ֣מֶץ עַל־ נָ֑תֶר וְשָׁ֥ר בַּ֝שִּׁרִ֗ים עַ֣ל לֶב־ רָֽע פ

מַ֥עֲדֶה  Like  one  who  takes  away 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: עָדָה 
Sense: to pass on, advance, go on, pass by, remove.
בֶּ֨גֶד ׀  a  garment 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בֶּגֶד 
Sense: treachery, deceit.
בְּי֣וֹם  in  weather 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
קָ֭רָה  cold 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: קָרָה  
Sense: cold.
חֹ֣מֶץ  [And  like]  vinegar 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֹמֶץ  
Sense: vinegar.
נָ֑תֶר  soda 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: נֶתֶר  
Sense: natron, nitre, soda, carbonate of soda.
וְשָׁ֥ר  and  [Is]  one  who  sings 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שִׁיר  
Sense: to sing.
בַּ֝שִּׁרִ֗ים  songs 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: שִׁיר 
Sense: song.
לֶב־  a  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
רָֽע  heavy 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.
פ  - 
Parse: Punctuation