King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
In the light of the king's countenance [is] life; and his favour [is] as a cloud of the latter rain.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When the king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
Berean Standard Bible:
When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
American Standard Version:
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
In the light{H216} of the king's{H4428} countenance{H6440} is life{H2416}; and his favour{H7522} is as a cloud{H5645} of the latter rain{H4456}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 72:6
- He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers [that] water the earth.
Job 29:23
- And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide [as] for the latter rain.
Job 29:24
- [If] I laughed on them, they believed [it] not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
Acts 2:28
- Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
Hosea 6:3
- Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth.
Psalms 21:6
- For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.
Proverbs 19:12
- ¶ The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 16:15
Proverbs 16:15 is a verse that speaks to the power and influence of a ruler's demeanor and favor upon his subjects. The historical context of this proverb is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern understanding of kingship, where the king held significant authority over the life and well-being of his people. In agrarian societies, the king's decisions could literally mean life or death, as his policies directly affected the prosperity of the land.
The verse metaphorically compares the king's favor to "a cloud of the latter rain." In the climate of Israel, the latter rains, which typically fell around March and April, were crucial for the success of the crops. These rains would ensure a bountiful harvest, which in turn meant sustenance and survival for the people. Thus, the king's favor is seen as refreshing, life-giving, and essential for prosperity, much like the much-anticipated rains that nourished the parched land at the end of the dry season.
The themes of this verse include the immense impact of leadership, the importance of a ruler's disposition, and the blessings that come from being in the king's good graces. It underscores the interconnectedness of rulers and their subjects, suggesting that a positive relationship with authority can lead to a flourishing life. The verse also reflects the agrarian lifestyle of the time, using the imagery of rain to convey the value of the king's favor in a way that would resonate with the audience's daily experiences and dependence on the land.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H216
There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אוֹר
Transliteration: ʼôwr
Pronunciation: ore
Description: from אוֹר; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.); bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H2416
There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַי
Transliteration: chay
Pronunciation: khah'-ee
Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - Strong's Number: H7522
There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָצוֹן
Transliteration: râtsôwn
Pronunciation: raw-tsone'
Description: or רָצֹן; from רָצָה; delight (especially as shown); (be) acceptable(-ance, -ed), delight, desire, favour, (good) pleasure, (own, self, voluntary) will, as...(what) would. - Strong's Number: H5645
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָב
Transliteration: ʻâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: (masculine and feminine); from עוּב; properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse; clay, (thick) cloud, [idiom] thick, thicket. Compare עֲבִי. - Strong's Number: H4456
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַלְקוֹשׁ
Transliteration: malqôwsh
Pronunciation: mal-koshe'
Description: from לָקַשׁ; (compare לֶקֶשׁ); the spring rain; figuratively, eloquence; latter rain.