The Meaning of Proverbs 25:23 Explained

Proverbs 25:23

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

YLT: A north wind bringeth forth rain, And a secret tongue -- indignant faces.

Darby: The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

ASV: The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

Discover Proverbs 25:23

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Proverbs 25:23?

MEANING: What does Proverbs 25:23 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:23 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Proverbs 25:23?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Proverbs 25:23 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The angry countenance belongs to the person who is the target of the backbiting (slanderous) tongue. Sly words can infuriate people just as a northerly wind brings rain. These are inevitable results.
"An untimely, icy blast of rain from the north takes the farmer aback and ruins his crop (cf. Proverbs 26:1; Proverbs 28:3). So also the unaware victim, when he hears the slander, realizes that the benefits he was about to reap from his work are suddenly ruined." [1]

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 25:23 mean?

The wind north brings forth rain and a countenance angry a tongue backbiting
ר֣וּחַ צָ֭פוֹן תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל גָּ֑שֶׁם וּפָנִ֥ים נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים לְשׁ֣וֹן סָֽתֶר

ר֣וּחַ  The  wind 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: רוּחַ  
Sense: wind, breath, mind, spirit.
צָ֭פוֹן  north 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: צָפֹון  
Sense: north (of direction), northward.
תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל  brings  forth 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: חוּל 
Sense: to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained.
גָּ֑שֶׁם  rain 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֶּשֶׁם  
Sense: rain, shower.
וּפָנִ֥ים  and  a  countenance 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine plural
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים  angry 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: זָעַם  
Sense: to denounce, express indignation, be indignant.
לְשׁ֣וֹן  a  tongue 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: לָשֹׁון  
Sense: tongue.
סָֽתֶר  backbiting 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: סֵתֶר 
Sense: covering, shelter, hiding place, secrecy.

What are the major concepts related to Proverbs 25:23?

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Similar Scriptures for Proverbs 25:23

Psalms 101:5 [3]
Psalms 15:3 [2]
Romans 1:30 [2]
2 Corinthians 12:20 [2]
Job 37:22 [2]
Proverbs 26:20 [2]