KJV ORIGINAL
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A king's anger is like the roar of a lion: whoever makes him angry brings harm upon themselves.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is warning that provoking a powerful ruler's anger is dangerous and ultimately self-destructive.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb was written during Solomon's reign when kings held absolute power over their subjects' lives and deaths. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings were seen as God's representatives on earth, making rebellion against them not just politically dangerous but spiritually perilous. The comparison to a lion's roar would have been especially vivid since lions were common in the region and symbolized royal power.
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