KJV ORIGINAL
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A king's anger is like messengers of death, but a wise person knows how to calm it down.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse teaches that a ruler's anger can be deadly dangerous, but wisdom can help defuse even the most threatening situations.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient times, kings held absolute power over life and death, and their anger could literally mean execution for those who offended them. Solomon, who wrote many of these proverbs, would have understood this reality as he ruled Israel with similar authority. The concept of 'messengers of death' reflects how a king's wrath was often carried out by executioners or soldiers who acted on his commands.
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