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Proverbs Chapter 25

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 28 Verses

What is Proverbs 25 about?

Practical wisdom for daily life, family, work, and worship, all rooted in the fear of the LORD. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
5Take away the wicked [from] before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men:
7For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen.
8Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
9Debate thy cause with thy neighbor [himself], And disclose not the secret of another;
10Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away.
11A word fitly spoken Is [like] apples of gold in network of silver.
12[As] an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [So is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [So is] a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14[As] clouds and wind without rain, [So is] he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.
15By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor`s house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is [like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20[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.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.
23The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
25[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.
26[As] a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, [So is] a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey: So [for men] to search out their own glory is grievous.
28He whose spirit is without restraint Is [like] a city that is broken down and without walls.
← Proverbs 24Proverbs 26 →

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“These [are] are also proverbs of Solomon, etc.] These that follow to the end of the book, as well as those which go before. Here begins a “third”, some say a “fourth” part of this book. The Targum and Syriac version read, “these are also the deep proverbs of Solomon;” and the Arabic version adds, “the exposition of which is difficult;” which the men Hezekiah king of Judah copied out; out of the writings of Solomon; out of his three thousand proverbs, it, nay be; or out of the public records, which contained an account of his words and deeds. Who these men were is not certain; perhaps his ministers of state,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“(Pro. 25:1-28) The character of these proverbs sustains the title (see Introduction). also--refers to the former part of the book. copied out--literally, "transferred," that is, from some other book to this; not given from memory.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“A new section. Copied out - In the sense of a transfer from oral tradition to writing. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“These - Which are contained in this and the following chapters. The men - Certain persons appointed by Hezekiah for that work. Many of them are political precepts, and such as in a special manner concerned Hezekiah, and other princes, for the conduct of their house and kingdom. Copied - Out of the historical records which were then extant. Proverbs 25:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“25:1–29:27 During the reign of King Hezekiah (728–686 BC), wise men (advisers) collected these proverbs of Solomon and added them to the collection.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“proverbs: Pro 1:1, Pro 10:1; Kg1 4:32; Ecc 12:9 which: Isa 1:1, Isa 36:22, Isa 37:2; Hos 1:1; Mic 1:1 Proverbs 25:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, Which the men of Hezekiah the king of Judah have collected. Hezekiah, in his concern for the preservation of the national literature, is the Jewish Pisistratos, and the "men of Hezekiah" are like the collectors of the poems of Homer, who were employed by Pisistratos for that purpose. גּם־אלּה is the subject, and in Cod. 1294, and in the editions of Bomberg 1515, Hartmann 1595, Nissel, Jablonsky, Michaelis, has Dech. This title is like that of the second supplement, Pro 24:23. The form of the name חזקיּה, abbreviated from יחזקיּהוּ (חזקיּהוּ), is not favourable to the…”
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