Proverbs 15:1
in Proverbs 15A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
KJV
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
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This verse in Proverbs 15
Commentary
1 note on this verseThis site's exposition
A soft answer turneth away wrath
on Proverbs 15:1-2
A soft answer turns wrath rather than merely surviving it, and the proverb credits the gentle word with real power over an angry man rather than treating gentleness as weakness. Grievous words do the opposite work, stirring anger that a different sentence could have stopped before it started. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge with intention, weighing a word before releasing it, while a fool's mouth simply pours out whatever is inside him.
The words behind it
8 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| מַֽעֲנֶה־ | maaneh- | an answer | H4617 → | 7 times |
| רַּ֭ךְ | rakh | soft | H7390 → | 16 times |
| יָשִׁ֣יב | yashiv | it turns away | H7725 → | 1056 times |
| חֵמָ֑ה | chemah | rage | H2534 → | 125 times |
| וּדְבַר־ | udevar- | and a word of | H1697 → | 1440 times |
| עֶ֝֗צֶב | ʾetzev | hurt | H6089 → | 7 times |
| יַעֲלֶה־ | yaaleh- | it raises | H5927 → | 890 times |
| אָֽף׃ | ʾaf | anger | H639 → | 276 times |
מַֽעֲנֶה־an answer
maaneh-H4617 →7 times
רַּ֭ךְsoft
rakhH7390 →16 times
יָשִׁ֣יבit turns away
yashivH7725 →1056 times
חֵמָ֑הrage
chemahH2534 →125 times
וּדְבַר־and a word of
udevar-H1697 →1440 times
עֶ֝֗צֶבhurt
ʾetzevH6089 →7 times
יַעֲלֶה־it raises
yaaleh-H5927 →890 times
אָֽף׃anger
ʾafH639 →276 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
it leads to
- 1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- Proverbs 17:9
Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
- 1 Peter 4:8
Through
Proverbs 15:18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
it leads to
- Proverbs 26:21
Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
- Proverbs 26:21
Through
Proverbs 29:22An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
it leads to
- Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 15:18
Through
Proverbs 28:25A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
it leads to
- Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 10:12
Where this verse is studied
On this page
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About Proverbs
This page draws on Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.