Proverbs 25

Chapters 25 through 29 of Proverbs form a new collection. According to its heading, the men of King Hezekiah gathered and edited these proverbs of Solomon. The preceding chapter, Proverbs 24, ends with a section of additional "sayings of the wise."

Outline

• Verse 1: The heading identifies these as proverbs of Solomon edited by the men of Hezekiah.
• Verses 2–7: Proverbs concerning the king. They contrast God's glory in concealing a matter with the king's glory in searching it out, and they call for removing the wicked from before the king. They also counsel against exalting oneself in the king's presence.
• Verses 8–10: Do not rush into a dispute with a neighbor, and do not reveal another's secret.
• Verses 11–15: Images concerning speech: a word fitly spoken, the reproof of the wise, a faithful messenger, one who boasts of a false gift, and a soft tongue.
• Verses 16–20: Do not eat too much honey, and do not visit a neighbor's house too often. Through comparisons, these verses warn against the false witness, the unfaithful man, and singing songs to a heavy heart.
• Verses 21–22: If an enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink. In doing so one heaps coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward the one who does so.
• Verses 23–28: These verses address the backbiting tongue, the contentious woman, good news from a far country, and the righteous man who falls down before the wicked. The chapter closes by comparing a person who has no rule over his own spirit to a city without walls.

Key Verses

• Proverbs 25:11: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." This is a well-known verse on the value of a timely word.
• Proverbs 25:21–22: "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat…" Paul quotes this passage in Romans 12:20.
• Proverbs 25:28: "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." This verse emphasizes self-control.

People and Places

• Solomon: Named in the heading as the author of these proverbs.
• Hezekiah: King of Judah. The heading states that his men edited these proverbs.

Points for Reflection

• Interpretations of the expression "heap coals of fire upon his head" (v. 22) differ. Many commentators read it to mean that an enemy who receives kindness will feel shame and come to repentance. Some also connect it with an ancient Egyptian penitential ritual. In Romans 12:17–21, Paul quotes this passage and concludes, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." The passage also connects with the teaching on love of enemies.
• Verses 6–7 resemble Jesus' teaching against taking the highest seat at a feast (Luke 14:7–11).
• The text does not say when or how Hezekiah's men carried out their editorial work; explanations of this are scholarly conjecture.

In the Korean Church

The image of "apples of gold" set in silver in verse 11 is frequently cited in sermons on speech and the use of words. Verse 13, "As the cold of snow in the time of harvest," which Korean Bibles render as ice-cold water on a harvest day, is often used in sermons on faithfulness.