Proverbs 14:29
Proverbs 14:29 in Multiple Translations
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
He who is slow to be angry has great good sense; but he whose spirit is over-quick gives support to what is foolish.
If you're slow to get angry, you're very wise; but if you have a short fuse you glorify stupidity.
He that is slowe to wrath, is of great wisdome: but he that is of an hastie minde, exalteth follie.
Whoso is slow to anger [is] of great understanding, And whoso is short in temper is exalting folly.
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.
Those who do not quickly become angry are very wise; by quickly becoming angry, people show that they are foolish.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 14:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 14:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶ֣רֶךְ
אַ֭פַּיִם
רַב
תְּבוּנָ֑ה
וּ/קְצַר
ר֝֗וּחַ
מֵרִ֥ים
אִוֶּֽלֶת
אֶ֣רֶךְ
ʼârêk
H750
slow
Adj
אַ֭פַּיִם
ʼaph
H639
face
N-md
רַב
rab
H7227
many
Adj
תְּבוּנָ֑ה
tâbûwn
H8394
understanding
N-fs
וּ/קְצַר
qâtsêr
H7116
short
Conj | Adj
ר֝֗וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs
מֵרִ֥ים
rûwm
H7311
to exalt
V-Hiphil
אִוֶּֽלֶת
ʼivveleth
H200
folly
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 14:29
אֶ֣רֶךְ
ʼârêk
H750
"slow"
Adj
This word describes something or someone as long or patient, often referring to God's slow anger. It is used to describe long pinions or being patient. The KJV translates it as long-suffering or patient.
Definition: 1) long (pinions) 2) patient, slow to anger
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: long(-suffering, -winged), patient, slow (to anger). See also: Exodus 34:6; Proverbs 15:18; Psalms 86:15.
אַ֭פַּיִם
ʼaph
H639
"face"
N-md
This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.
Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.
רַב
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
תְּבוּנָ֑ה
tâbûwn
H8394
"understanding"
N-fs
Tabún means understanding or intelligence, implying skill or insight. It is translated as discretion, reason, or wisdom in the KJV Bible, referring to the act or faculty of understanding.
Definition: 1) understanding, intelligence 1a) the act of understanding 1a1) skill 1b) the faculty of understanding 1b1) intelligence, understanding, insight 1c) the object of knowledge 1d) teacher (personification)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom. See also: Exodus 31:3; Proverbs 8:1; Psalms 49:4.
וּ/קְצַר
qâtsêr
H7116
"short"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means something is short, whether in size, number, or time. It can also describe someone who is impatient. In the Bible, it is used to describe things that are small or few.
Definition: 1) short, impatient 1a) in size, number, life, strength, etc
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: few, hasty, small, soon. See also: 2 Kings 19:26; Proverbs 14:17; Proverbs 14:29.
ר֝֗וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
מֵרִ֥ים
rûwm
H7311
"to exalt"
V-Hiphil
This verb can mean to lift something or someone up, like a parent lifting a child, or to exalt oneself in pride. In the Bible, it's used to describe God lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud.
Definition: 1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be high, be set on high 1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted 1a3) to be lifted, rise 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up 1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt 1b3) to exalt, extol 1c) (Polal) to be lifted up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high 1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove 1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute 1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished 1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
Usage: Occurs in 184 OT verses. KJV: bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. See also: Genesis 7:17; Psalms 46:11; Psalms 3:4.
אִוֶּֽלֶת
ʼivveleth
H200
"folly"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means foolishness or silliness, describing someone's ridiculous behavior. It is used to convey a sense of absurdity or nonsense, as seen in the KJV translations of folly and foolishness.
Definition: foolishness, folly
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: folly, foolishly(-ness). See also: Psalms 38:6; Proverbs 15:14; Psalms 69:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 14:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 14:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 14:29
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 14:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 14:29
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 14:29
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
- Sermons on Proverbs 14:29
Context — The Wise Woman
27The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
29A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.
30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones. 31Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James 1:19 | My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 7:9 | Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool. |
| 3 | Proverbs 14:17 | A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated. |
| 4 | Proverbs 15:18 | A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. |
| 5 | Proverbs 19:11 | A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense. |
| 6 | Proverbs 16:32 | He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. |
| 7 | Numbers 12:3 | Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth. |
| 8 | Proverbs 25:28 | Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper. |
| 9 | Proverbs 22:24–25 | Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. |
| 10 | Matthew 11:29 | Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. |
Proverbs 14:29 Summary
This verse is saying that when we are patient, we are able to think more clearly and make better decisions. On the other hand, when we act impulsively and get angry quickly, we can do and say foolish things. Being patient is not always easy, but it is an important part of living a wise and godly life, as seen in verses like Psalm 37:7-8, which encourages us to wait patiently for the Lord. By trusting in God's sovereignty and practicing self-control, we can cultivate patience and gain greater understanding, just like it says in James 1:5, where we are encouraged to ask God for wisdom if we lack it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a patient man in Proverbs 14:29?
A patient man is someone who is able to control their emotions and wait on God's timing, rather than acting impulsively, as seen in Psalm 37:7-8, where it says to 'be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him'.
How does a quick-tempered man promote folly?
A quick-tempered man promotes folly by acting impulsively and speaking without thinking, leading to foolish decisions and actions, as warned against in Proverbs 12:18, which says 'the words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing'.
What is the relationship between patience and understanding in this verse?
According to Proverbs 14:29, a patient man has great understanding, suggesting that patience is a key component of gaining wisdom and insight, as also seen in James 1:5, which encourages us to ask God for wisdom if we lack it.
How can I cultivate patience in my own life?
Cultivating patience involves trusting in God's sovereignty and timing, as seen in Romans 8:28, and practicing self-control, as encouraged in Galatians 5:22-23, where patience is listed as a fruit of the Spirit.
Reflection Questions
- In what areas of my life do I struggle with quick-temper and impulsiveness, and how can I begin to cultivate patience in those areas?
- What are some ways that I can 'wait patiently for the Lord' in my daily life, as encouraged in Psalm 37:7-8?
- How do I think my relationships with others would change if I were more patient and less quick-tempered?
- What are some specific ways that I can practice self-control and patience in my interactions with others, such as in my speech and actions?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 14:29
[He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding,.... Or "long in wrath" (e); it is long before he is angry; he is longsuffering, bears much and long, is very patient; such an one appears to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 14:29
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
Is of great understanding; showeth great and true wisdom in conquering his sinful and shameful passions. Exalteth, Heb. lifteth up, like a banner; makes it known and visible to all men.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
Proverbs 14:29 [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.Ver. 29. He that is slow to anger is of great understanding.] "The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable," tractable. Thunder, hail, tempest, neither trouble nor hurt celestial bodies. Anger may rush into a wise man’ s bosom, not rest there; it dwells only where it domineers, and that is only where a fool is master of the family. A wise man either receives it not or soon rids it. Be slow to wrath, is a lesson that God hath engraven, as one wittily observeth in our very nature. For the last letter that any child ordinarily speaketh is R, and that is the radical letter of all words of strife and wrath in almost all languages? But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.] He sets it up upon a pole, as it were; he makes an Oh yes, and proclaims his own folly by his ireful looks, words, gestures, actions, as that furious friar Feuardensius doth in his book called Theomachia Calvinistica, where he took up his pen with as much passion and wrath as any soldier takes up his sword. Such another hasty fool was friar Alphonsus, the Spaniard, who, reasoning with Mr Bradford, martyr, was in a wonderful rage chafing with om and cho; so that if Bradford had been anything hot, one house could not have held them. ψεςΰψγ; αρα, οργη; ira, horror, furor ; wrath, war, jar, strife, &c. Acts and Mon.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
(29) He that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly—i.e., brings it into view, or shows himself highly foolish. Or it may signify, “he takes up and carries away folly as his portion,” as Proverbs 3:35 may be translated, “fools receive shame for their portion.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
Verse 29. That is hasty of spirit] קצר רוח ketsar ruach, "the short of spirit;" one that is easily irritated; and, being in a passion, he is agitated so as to be literally short of breath. Here put in opposition to ארך אפים erech appayim, long of nostrils; see on Proverbs 14:17; and of the same import with St. Paul's μακροθυμια, longsuffering, longmindedness. See on Ephesians 4:2.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 14:29
29. slow to wrath] Comp. βραδὺςεἰςὀργήν, James 1:19. exalteth] The Heb. word may either mean, with A.V. and R.V. text, lifteth up, i.e. gives it prominence, brings it into notice; or, with R.V. marg., taketh up, and so carrieth away, as his possession. The first of these is to be preferred.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 14:29
Exalteth folly - Lifts it up, as it were, on high, and exposes it to the gaze of all men.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 14:29
29. Slow to wrath — Is patient, forbearing, self-controlling. Is of great understanding — Shows himself to be a man of sense and prudence. Exalteth folly — Lifts it up, makes it conspicuous.
Sermons on Proverbs 14:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Basics) 67. Anger by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the destructive nature of anger and how it gives the devil an opportunity in our lives. He refers to the Bible verse in Ephesians 4:26-27, w |
|
Outline of Job: Wrong Questions, Wrong Assumptions by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker discusses three debates that occur in the book of Job. The first debate, chapters four to 14, is described as "hot" with strong words being spoken. The |
|
Foundations for Marriage by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of communication and learning in marriage. They emphasize that many of the principles for a successful marriage can also be app |
|
Chosen Vessel - Surviving Opposition From Within by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not acting out of anger. He shares a story about Plato and his servant to illustrate the need for self-reflection and wise |
|
How to Be Good and Mad by Richard Sipley | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of being both good and mad. He shares a personal story about a man he knew who had a terrible temper and was always angry. Despite t |
|
The Tongue! by Keith Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's grace to keep silent in the face of opposition, especially within the home, to avoid losing relationships due to impulsive re |
|
Imptaitnce Is a Soul-Destroying, God-Discouraging, and Devil-Begotten Spirit by Milton Haney | Milton Haney preaches about the dangers of impatience, emphasizing that even holy individuals can fall into sin due to impatience, which can lead to a loss of sanctification. He hi |