The big picture
Proverbs 25 opens in verse 1 with “These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 14 with “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”, and closes in verse 28 with “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without…” Repeated or prominent terms include lest, cold, glory, gold, king. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Proverbs · King James Version · 28Proverbs 25:1-7
1–7: These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of…
Proverbs 25:1–7 opens with “These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.” and reaches “For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 25 develops its own movement around lest, cold, glory, gold, king, with particular weight carried by king, kings, presence.
Context that brings the passage to life
“These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.” Naming Hezekiah and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Proverbs 25:1-7
King James Version1These are also 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 honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7For better it is 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.
Proverbs 25:8-14
8–14: Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end…
Proverbs 25:8–14 opens with “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy…” and reaches “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 25 develops its own movement around lest, cold, glory, gold, king, with particular weight carried by gold, lest, neighbour.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to…” The line’s distinctive content terms include hastily, know, lest. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 25:8-14
King James Version8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12As an earring 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.
14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
Proverbs 25:15-21
15–21: By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the…
Proverbs 25:15–21 opens with “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” and reaches “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 25 develops its own movement around lest, cold, glory, gold, king, with particular weight carried by foot, lest, arrow.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bone, breaketh, forbearing. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 25:15-21
King James Version15By long forbearing is a prince 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.
17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour 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.
20As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
Proverbs 25:22-28
22–28: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall…
Proverbs 25:22–28 opens with “For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” and reaches “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 25 develops its own movement around lest, cold, glory, gold, king, with particular weight carried by glory, good, angry.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Proverbs 25:22-28
King James Version22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Proverbs 25:1 begins with “These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.”
Where the chapter turns
Proverbs 25:16 forms a natural hinge: “Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”
The final note
Proverbs 25:28 leaves the reader with “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words lest, cold, glory, gold, king, neighbour help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What fulfills the earlier promise concerning Ishmael?
The named twelve princes and the account of his descendants.
What family pattern increases the twins' conflict?
Isaac favors Esau and Rebekah favors Jacob.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.