Proverbs 15:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Complete Jewish Bible:

A gentle response deflects fury, but a harsh word makes tempers rise.

Berean Standard Bible:

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

American Standard Version:

A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

A soft^{H7390} answer^{H4617} turneth^{H7725} away wrath^{H2534}: but grievous^{H6089} words^{H1697} stir up^{H5927} anger^{H639}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 15:1 is a part of the biblical Wisdom Literature, specifically found in the book of Proverbs, which is a collection of sayings and instructions that convey ethical and practical advice. This verse reflects the broader themes of wisdom and folly that are central to the book. The historical context of Proverbs is rooted in the ancient Near East, where wisdom was highly valued and often personified, as seen in the opening chapters of the book.

The verse itself, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger," encapsulates a principle of communication that has enduring relevance. It suggests that the manner in which one responds to confrontation can either de-escalate or exacerbate a situation. A "soft answer" implies a gentle, measured, and thoughtful reply, which can defuse tension and prevent the escalation of conflict. In contrast, "grievous words" refer to harsh, hurtful, or offensive speech that is likely to provoke a negative emotional response, leading to increased anger and potential for further conflict.

This proverb distills complex human interactions into a simple, memorable aphorism, emphasizing the power of words in maintaining peace and fostering positive relationships. It aligns with the broader wisdom tradition's emphasis on self-control, prudence, and the pursuit of harmonious social order. The principle taught in this verse is applicable across various cultures and eras, transcending its ancient origins to offer guidance in modern interpersonal communication.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7390
   There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַךְ
   Transliteration: rak
   Pronunciation: rak
   Description: from רָכַךְ; tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak; faint((-hearted), soft, tender ((-hearted), one), weak.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4617
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַעֲנֶה
   Transliteration: maʻăneh
   Pronunciation: mah-an-eh'
   Description: from עָנָה; a reply (favorable or contradictory); answer, [idiom] himself.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2534
   There are 117 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֵמָה
   Transliteration: chêmâh
   Pronunciation: khay-maw'
   Description: or (Daniel 11:44) חֵמָא; from יָחַם; heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever); anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath(-ful). See חֶמְאָה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6089
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶצֶב
   Transliteration: ʻetseb
   Pronunciation: eh'-tseb
   Description: from עָצַב; an earthen vessel; usually (painful) toil; also a pang (whether of body or mind); grievous, idol, labor, sorrow.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5927
   There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָלָה
   Transliteration: ʻâlâh
   Pronunciation: aw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
   
8. Strong's Number: H639
   There are 306 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַף
   Transliteration: ʼaph
   Pronunciation: af
   Description: from אָנַף; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire; anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath.