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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/27-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/20_Pro_27_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 27:4 - Do not Boast about Tomorrow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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but who <i>is</i> able to stand before envy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/27.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Wrath <i>is</i> cruel and anger a torrent, But who <i>is</i> able to stand before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/27.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/27.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/27.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/27.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Wrath is cruelty and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/27.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood, But who is able to endure <i>and</i> stand before [the sin of] jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/27.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fury is cruel, and anger a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/27.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Fury is cruel, and anger a flood, but who can withstand jealousy? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/27.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/27.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />An angry person is dangerous, but a jealous person is even worse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/27.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/27.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Anger is cruel, and fury is overwhelming, but who can survive jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/27.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Anger is cruel and destructive, but it is nothing compared to jealousy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/27.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Wrath can be fierce and anger overwhelms but who can stand up to jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/27.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/27.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/27.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/27.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/27.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/27.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Fury [is] fierce, and anger [is] overflowing, "" And who stands before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/27.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Fury is fierce, and anger is overflowing, And who standeth before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/27.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wrath is cruelty, and anger an overflowing; and who shall stand before jealousy?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/27.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Anger hath no mercy, nor fury when it breaketh forth: and who can bear the violence of one provoked? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/27.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Anger holds no mercy, nor does fury when it erupts. And who can bear the assault of one who has been provoked?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/27.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Anger is cruel, and wrath overwhelming, but before jealousy who can stand? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/27.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/27.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel and anger is outrageous; but who can stand before envy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/27.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Presumption is rage and impetuosity is passion, but who shall stand before envy?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/27.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/27.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wrath is merciless, and anger sharp: but envy can bear nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/27-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5502" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/27.htm">Do not Boast about Tomorrow</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2534.htm" title="2534: ḥê·māh (N-fs) -- Heat, rage. Or chemac; from yacham; heat; figuratively, anger, poison.">Wrath</a> <a href="/hebrew/395.htm" title="395: ’aḵ·zə·rî·yūṯ (N-fsc) -- Cruelty, fierceness. From 'akzariy; fierceness.">is cruel</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’āp̄ (N-ms) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">and anger</a> <a href="/hebrew/7858.htm" title="7858: wə·še·ṭep̄ (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A flood. Or sheteph; from shataph; a deluge.">is like a flood,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: ū·mî (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">but who</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: ya·‘ă·mōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">can withstand</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7068.htm" title="7068: qin·’āh (N-fs) -- Ardor, zeal, jealousy. From qana'; jealousy or envy.">jealousy?</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-14.htm">James 3:14-16</a></span><br />But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. / For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-1.htm">James 4:1-2</a></span><br />What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? / You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">1 Corinthians 3:3</a></span><br />for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-31.htm">Ephesians 4:31</a></span><br />Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Colossians 3:8</a></span><br />But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-22.htm">Matthew 5:22</a></span><br />But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-13.htm">Romans 13:13</a></span><br />Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15</a></span><br />Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21-23</a></span><br />For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/4-5.htm">Genesis 4:5-8</a></span><br />but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. / “Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen? / If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-4.htm">Genesis 37:4</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-8.htm">1 Samuel 18:8-9</a></span><br />And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” / And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/5-2.htm">Job 5:2</a></span><br />For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-1.htm">Psalm 37:1-2</a></span><br />Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. / For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/1-19.htm">James 1:19-21</a></b></br> Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: … </p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm">Proverbs 14:30</a></b></br> A sound heart <i>is</i> the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/26-14.htm">Genesis 26:14</a></b></br> For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/37-11.htm">Genesis 37:11</a></b></br> And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.</p><p class="hdg">envy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-34.htm">Proverbs 6:34</a></b></br> For jealousy <i>is</i> the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/songs/8-6.htm">Song of Solomon 8:6</a></b></br> Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love <i>is</i> strong as death; jealousy <i>is</i> cruel as the grave: the coals thereof <i>are</i> coals of fire, <i>which hath</i> a most vehement flame.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/26-16.htm">Able</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-3.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-23.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-19.htm">Envy</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-17.htm">Feeling</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-10.htm">Flood</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-24.htm">Fury</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-34.htm">Jealousy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-23.htm">Outrageous</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-10.htm">Overflowing</a> <a href="/nahum/1-8.htm">Overwhelming</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-6.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Standeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Stream</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-3.htm">Wrath</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/30-21.htm">Able</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-8.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-3.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-4.htm">Envy</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-10.htm">Feeling</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-4.htm">Fierce</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-7.htm">Flood</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-19.htm">Fury</a> <a href="/songs/8-6.htm">Jealousy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-23.htm">Outrageous</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-8.htm">Overflowing</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-22.htm">Overwhelming</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-12.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Standeth</a> <a href="/songs/4-15.htm">Stream</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-10.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-8.htm">Wrath</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 27</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/27-1.htm">observations of self love</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/27-5.htm">of true love</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/27-11.htm">of care to avoid offenses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/27-23.htm">and of the household care</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical context, wrath is frequently linked to God's judgment (e.g., <a href="/exodus/32-10.htm">Exodus 32:10</a>) but here refers to human emotion. The cruelty of wrath can lead to destructive actions, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel (<a href="/genesis/4-5.htm">Genesis 4:5-8</a>). Wrath can cause individuals to act irrationally and harmfully, reflecting the fallen nature of humanity.<p><b>and anger is like a flood</b><br>Anger is compared to a flood, suggesting it can be overwhelming and uncontrollable. In ancient Near Eastern culture, floods were feared for their destructive power, as they could devastate crops and homes. This imagery highlights the potential of anger to cause widespread damage, both physically and relationally. The Bible often warns against unchecked anger (<a href="/ephesians/4-26.htm">Ephesians 4:26-27</a>), emphasizing the need for self-control and reconciliation.<p><b>but who can withstand jealousy?</b><br>Jealousy is portrayed as even more formidable than wrath or anger. It is an intense emotion that can consume and destroy relationships, as seen in the story of Joseph and his brothers (<a href="/genesis/37-11.htm">Genesis 37:11</a>). Jealousy often leads to envy and strife, disrupting communities and families. The rhetorical question underscores the insidious nature of jealousy, suggesting that it is a powerful force that few can resist. In the New Testament, jealousy is listed among the works of the flesh (<a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a>), contrasting with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love and peace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human behavior and relationships are reflected in this verse.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>- The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is rooted in ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_literature.htm">Wisdom Literature</a></b><br>- Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes practical teachings on how to live a life that is pleasing to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_nature_of_emotions.htm">Understanding the Nature of Emotions</a></b><br>Emotions like wrath, anger, and jealousy are powerful and can lead to destructive behavior if not controlled. Recognizing their potential impact is the first step in managing them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_jealousy.htm">The Danger of Jealousy</a></b><br>Jealousy is particularly insidious because it can consume a person from within, leading to actions that harm relationships and communities. It is more difficult to withstand than wrath or anger because it often involves deep-seated insecurities and comparisons.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_godly_wisdom.htm">Seeking Godly Wisdom</a></b><br>The wisdom of God, as revealed in Scripture, provides guidance on how to deal with negative emotions. Seeking God's wisdom through prayer and study can help us overcome these destructive feelings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultivating_contentment.htm">Cultivating Contentment</a></b><br>One antidote to jealousy is contentment. By focusing on gratitude and the blessings God has given us, we can reduce the power of jealousy in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/building_healthy_relationships.htm">Building Healthy Relationships</a></b><br>Open communication and trust are key to preventing jealousy from taking root in relationships. Encouraging and supporting others can help build a community where jealousy is less likely to thrive.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_27.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 27</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_will_i_manifest_myself_to_him.htm">What does the Bible say about wrathful outbursts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_mental_illness.htm">What does the Bible say about mental illness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_experience_emotions.htm">Does God experience emotions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_married_people_have_opposite-sex_friends.htm">Can married individuals have opposite-sex friends?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/27.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">But who is able to stand before envy?--</span>Rather, <span class= "ital">jealousy. </span>(Comp. <a href="/proverbs/6-34.htm" title="For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.">Proverbs 6:34</a>.) "Wrath" and "anger" rage for awhile like a storm, and then subside; but jealousy can never be completely set at rest.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/27.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous.</span> Again substantives are used, as in ver. 3, "Cruelty of wrath, and overflowing of anger." Figure to yourself the fierceness and cruelty of a sudden excitement of anger, or the bursting forth of passion which, like a flood, carries all before it; these may be violent for a time, yet they will subside when they have spent themselves. <span class="cmt_word">But who is able to stand before envy?</span> or rather, <span class="accented">jealousy</span>. The reference is not so much to the general feeling of envy as to the outraged love in the relation of husband and wife (see <a href="/proverbs/6-34.htm">Proverbs 6:34</a>, and note there). <a href="/songs/8-6.htm">Song of Solomon 8:6</a>, "Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the flashes thereof are flashes of fire, a very vehement flame." Such jealousy does not blaze forth in some sudden outbreak, and then die away; it lives and broods and feeds itself hourly with fresh aliment, and is ready to act at any moment, hesitating at no means to gratify itself, and sacrificing without mercy its victim. Septuagint, "Pitiless is wrath, and sharp is anger; but jealousy (<span class="greek">ζῆλος</span>) submits to nothing." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/27-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Wrath</span><br /><span class="heb">חֵ֭מָה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥê·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2534.htm">Strong's 2534: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heat, anger, poison</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] cruel</span><br /><span class="heb">אַכְזְרִיּ֣וּת</span> <span class="translit">(’aḵ·zə·rî·yūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_395.htm">Strong's 395: </a> </span><span class="str2">Cruelty, fierceness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and anger</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֑ף</span> <span class="translit">(’āp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] like a flood,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֶׁ֣טֶף</span> <span class="translit">(wə·še·ṭep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7858.htm">Strong's 7858: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flood -- a deluge</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but who</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can withstand</span><br /><span class="heb">יַ֝עֲמֹד</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·mōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stand, in various relations</span><br /><br /><span class="word">jealousy?</span><br /><span class="heb">קִנְאָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(qin·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7068.htm">Strong's 7068: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ardor, zeal, jealousy</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/27-4.htm">Proverbs 27:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/27-4.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/27-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 27:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 27:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/27-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 27:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 27:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>