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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 16:15 When a king's face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/20_Pro_16_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 16:15 - The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When a king's face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring." /><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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his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />In the light of the king's countenance <i>is</i> life; and his favour <i>is</i> as a cloud of the latter rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />In the light of the king’s face <i>is</i> life, And his favor <i>is</i> like a cloud of the latter rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud <i>with</i> the spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />In the light of a king&#8217s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the late rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When a king&#8217s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When a ruler is happy and pleased with you, it's like refreshing rain, and you will live. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the king is cheerful, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The king's favor is like the clouds that bring rain in the springtime--life is there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When a king is pleased, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When a king?s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In the light of the king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />In the light of a king's countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />In the light of a king’s face [is] life, "" And his goodwill [is] as a cloud of the spring rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> In the light of a king's face is life, And his good-will is as a cloud of the latter rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In the light of the king's face is life, and his acceptance as the cloud of the latter rain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A king’s smile means life, and his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favor is like a cloud of the early rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />In the light of the King's face is life and his pleasure is like an early cloud.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />In the light of the king's countenance is life; And his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/16-15.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=3153" 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/16.htm">The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">When a king’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">face</a> <a href="/hebrew/216.htm" title="216: bə·’ō·wr- (Prep:: N-csc) -- A light. From 'owr; illumination or luminary.">brightens,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yîm (N-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">there is life;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7522.htm" title="7522: ū·rə·ṣō·w·nōw (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will. Or ratson; from ratsah; delight.">his favor</a> <a href="/hebrew/5645.htm" title="5645: kə·‘āḇ (Prep-b:: N-csc) -- Dark cloud, cloud mass, thicket. ">is like a rain cloud</a> <a href="/hebrew/4456.htm" title="4456: mal·qō·wōš (N-ms) -- Latter rain, spring rain. From laqash; the spring rain; figuratively, eloquence.">in spring.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.…<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="/numbers/6-25.htm">Numbers 6:25</a></span><br />may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/30-5.htm">Psalm 30:5</a></span><br />For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-15.htm">Psalm 89:15</a></span><br />Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Psalm 104:15</a></span><br />wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-18.htm">Isaiah 30:18</a></span><br />Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-1.htm">Isaiah 60:1</a></span><br />Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-19.htm">Isaiah 60:19</a></span><br />No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-3.htm">Isaiah 61:3</a></span><br />to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/33-11.htm">Jeremiah 33:11</a></span><br />the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-2.htm">Malachi 4:2</a></span><br />“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-16.htm">Matthew 5:16</a></span><br />In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-2.htm">Matthew 17:2</a></span><br />There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-78.htm">Luke 1:78-79</a></span><br />because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high, / to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4-5</a></span><br />In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a></span><br />Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.</p><p class="hdg">the light</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-12.htm">Proverbs 19:12</a></b></br> The king's wrath <i>is</i> as the roaring of a lion; but his favour <i>is</i> as dew upon the grass.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/29-23.htm">Job 29:23,24</a></b></br> And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide <i>as</i> for the latter rain… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/4-6.htm">Psalm 4:6</a></b></br> <i>There be</i> many that say, Who will shew us <i>any</i> good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.</p><p class="hdg">his</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/29-23.htm">Job 29:23</a></b></br> And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide <i>as</i> for the latter rain.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/30-5.htm">Psalm 30:5</a></b></br> For his anger <i>endureth but</i> a moment; in his favour <i>is</i> life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy <i>cometh</i> in the morning.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/72-6.htm">Psalm 72:6</a></b></br> He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers <i>that</i> water the earth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/13-15.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Brightens</a> <a href="/psalms/105-39.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-28.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-13.htm">Countenance</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-13.htm">Face</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-35.htm">Favor</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-35.htm">Favour</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-35.htm">Good-Will</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-14.htm">King's</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-30.htm">Light</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-8.htm">Means</a> <a href="/psalms/148-8.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-14.htm">Spring</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Brightens</a> <a href="/isaiah/4-5.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-14.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-23.htm">Countenance</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-12.htm">Face</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Favor</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Favour</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Good-Will</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-12.htm">King's</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-17.htm">Light</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-27.htm">Means</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-26.htm">Spring</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/16-1.htm">The Plans of the heart</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When a king’s face brightens</b><br>In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the king was often seen as a representative of divine authority on earth. A king's demeanor could significantly impact the morale and well-being of his subjects. When a king's face brightens, it signifies approval, favor, and goodwill. This imagery reflects the importance of a ruler's disposition in maintaining peace and prosperity. In biblical terms, the brightening of a king's face can be likened to God's favor shining upon His people, as seen in the Aaronic blessing in <a href="/numbers/6-24.htm">Numbers 6:24-26</a>, where God's face shining upon someone is a sign of blessing and peace.<p><b>there is life</b><br>The presence of life here symbolizes vitality, prosperity, and flourishing. In the context of a king's favor, it suggests that the well-being of the kingdom is directly tied to the king's attitude. This concept is echoed in <a href="/proverbs/19-12.htm">Proverbs 19:12</a>, where a king's wrath is compared to the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass, bringing life and growth. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, the King of Kings, whose favor brings eternal life to believers.<p><b>his favor is like a rain cloud in spring</b><br>In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, rain was crucial for survival, especially the spring rains that ensured a good harvest. A rain cloud in spring symbolizes hope, renewal, and the promise of sustenance. The king's favor, therefore, is likened to this life-giving rain, essential for the flourishing of the land and its people. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages that use rain as a metaphor for God's blessings, such as <a href="/deuteronomy/11-14.htm">Deuteronomy 11:14</a> and <a href="/hosea/6-3.htm">Hosea 6:3</a>. Theologically, this can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the spiritual renewal brought by Jesus Christ, who offers living water to those who believe in Him (<a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king.htm">King</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, the king often represents authority and leadership. The king's favor is a metaphor for divine favor and blessing.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/face.htm">Face</a></b><br>The face of the king symbolizes his presence and attention. In ancient cultures, the face of a ruler was associated with their mood and intentions toward their subjects.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/spring_rain.htm">Spring Rain</a></b><br>This refers to the life-giving and refreshing rains that come in the spring, essential for agriculture and prosperity in ancient Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_favor.htm">The Importance of Favor</a></b><br>Just as the favor of a king can bring life and prosperity, seeking God's favor should be a priority in our lives. His favor brings spiritual life and blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_presence.htm">The Power of Presence</a></b><br>The presence of a leader, or in a spiritual sense, the presence of God, can bring assurance and peace. We should seek to live in the light of God's presence daily.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/refreshing_like_rain.htm">Refreshing Like Rain</a></b><br>Just as spring rain is essential for growth, God's favor and presence refresh and renew our spirits. We should seek His presence to experience spiritual renewal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/authority_and_leadership.htm">Authority and Leadership</a></b><br>This verse reminds us of the responsibility of leaders to be life-giving and to use their authority to bless others. As Christians, we are called to lead with grace and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_light_and_rain.htm">Symbolism of Light and Rain</a></b><br>Light and rain are both essential for life. In our spiritual walk, we need the light of God's guidance and the refreshing of His Spirit to grow and thrive.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_esther_save_her_people.htm">How did Esther save her people from Xerxes' decree?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_faith_in_god_shape_plans.htm">How can committing to the Lord establish your plans?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_2_chronicles_15_15_peace.htm">What evidence, if any, supports the sudden peace and prosperity described in 2 Chronicles 15:15, given the frequent conflicts in the region at that time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_esther_1's_banquets.htm">How do we reconcile the portrayal of lavish banquets in Esther 1 with other biblical condemnations of excess and opulence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) <span class= "bld">A cloud of the latter rain.--</span>This fell at the end of March, maturing the barley and wheat crops before the harvest in April. It was eagerly looked for as of great importance. (Comp. <a href="/psalms/72-6.htm" title="He shall come down like rain on the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.">Psalm 72:6</a> for the same figure.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">In the light of the king's countenance is life</span> (<a href="/proverbs/15-30.htm">Proverbs 15:30</a>; <a href="/psalms/4-6.htm">Psalm 4:6</a>). As the king's anger and the darkening of his countenance are death (ver. 14), so, when his look is cheerful and bright, it sheds joy and life around, as the rain refreshes the parched ground. <span class="cmt_word">A cloud of the latter rain</span>. The former rain in Palestine falls about the end of October or the beginning of November, when the seed is sown; the latter rain comes in March or April, and is absolutely necessary for the due swelling and ripening of the grain. It is accompanied, of course) with <span class="accented">cloud</span>, which tempers the heat, while it brings fertility and vigour. To this the king's <span class="accented">favour</span> is well compared. "He shall come down," says the psalmist, "like the rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth" (<a href="/psalms/72-6.htm">Psalm 72:6</a>). The LXX., reading <span class="hebrew">בני</span> (<span class="accented">beni</span>) for <span class="hebrew">פני</span> (<span class="accented">peni</span>), translates, "In the light of life is the son of the king; and they who are acceptable to him are as a cloud of the latter rain." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/16-15.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">When a king’s</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֥לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">face</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּנֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(pə·nê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brightens,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאוֹר־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’ō·wr-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_216.htm">Strong's 216: </a> </span><span class="str2">Illumination, luminary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there is life;</span><br /><span class="heb">חַיִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his favor</span><br /><span class="heb">וּ֝רְצוֹנ֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·rə·ṣō·w·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7522.htm">Strong's 7522: </a> </span><span class="str2">Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is like a rain cloud</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּעָ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(kə·‘āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5645.htm">Strong's 5645: </a> </span><span class="str2">An envelope, darkness, a, cloud, a copse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in spring.</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(mal·qō·wōš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4456.htm">Strong's 4456: </a> </span><span class="str2">The spring rain, eloquence</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/16-15.htm">Proverbs 16:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/16-15.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:15 In the light of the king's face (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/16-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 16:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 16:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 16:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 16:16" /></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>