Proverbs 20:2 “The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him…”

Proverbs 20:2

The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

World English Bible

The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.

American Standard Version

The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: He that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own life.

Geneva Bible 1599

The feare of the King is like the roaring of a lyon: hee that prouoketh him vnto anger, sinneth against his owne soule.

Darby Translation

The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

Young's Literal Translation

The fear of a king [is] a growl as of a young lion, He who is causing him to be wroth is wronging his soul.

Bible in Basic English

The wrath of a king is like the loud cry of a lion: he who makes him angry does wrong against himself.

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Cross references

“fear”

Proverbs 19:12 Ecclesiastes 10:4 Hosea 11:10 Amos 3:8 Proverbs 16:14 Proverbs 16:15

Proverbs 19:12 · BSB

A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 · BSB

If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

Hosea 11:10 · BSB

They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.

Amos 3:8 · BSB

The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken— who will not prophesy?

Proverbs 16:14 · BSB

The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

Proverbs 16:15 · BSB

When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.

“sinneth”

Proverbs 8:36 1 Kings 2:23

Proverbs 8:36 · BSB

But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

1 Kings 2:23 · BSB

Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life.

Also

Habakkuk 2:10 Numbers 16:38

Habakkuk 2:10 · BSB

You have plotted shame for your house by cutting off many peoples and forfeiting your life.

Numbers 16:38 · BSB

As for the censers of those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, hammer them into sheets to overlay the altar, for these were presented before the LORD, and so have become holy. They will serve as a sign to the Isr…

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.

Read Proverbs 20