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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift <i>is like</i> clouds and wind without rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Whoever falsely boasts of giving <i>Is like</i> clouds and wind without rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>Like</i> clouds and wind without rain Is a person who boasts of his gifts falsely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts falsely of gifts [he does not give].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />As clouds and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Broken promises are worse than rain clouds that don't bring rain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />As clouds and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Like] a dense fog or a dust storm, [so] is a person who brags about a gift that he does not give.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Like clouds and winds without rain is the man who brags about gifts he never gave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Whoever boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Clouds and wind without rain, "" [Is] a man boasting himself in a false gift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Clouds and wind, and rain there is none, Is a man boasting himself in a false gift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Clouds and wind and not rain, a man boasting in a gift of falsehood.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Clouds and wind but no rain— the one who boasts of a gift not given. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Like clouds and wind without rain, so is the man who boasts of false gifts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />As when there are clouds and wind without rain, so is a man that boasts of false gifts.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />As vapours and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />As winds and clouds and rains are most evident <i>objects</i>, so is he that boasts of a false gift.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/25-14.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=5171" 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/25.htm">More Proverbs of Solomon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5387.htm" title="5387: nə·śî·’îm (N-mp) -- Or nasi'; from nasa'; properly, an exalted one, i.e. A king or sheik; also a rising mist.">Like clouds</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: wə·rū·aḥ (Conj-w:: N-cs) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">and wind</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ā·yin (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/1653.htm" title="1653: wə·ḡe·šem (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Rain, shower. From gasham; a shower.">rain</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">is the man</a> <a href="/hebrew/1984.htm" title="1984: miṯ·hal·lêl (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-ms) -- To shine.">who boasts</a> <a href="/hebrew/4991.htm" title="4991: bə·mat·taṯ- (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- A gift. Feminine of mattan abbreviated form; a present.">of gifts</a> <a href="/hebrew/8267.htm" title="8267: šā·qer (N-ms) -- Deception, disappointment, falsehood. From shaqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham.">never given.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.…<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/2-14.htm">James 2:14-17</a></span><br />What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a></span><br />Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">1 John 3:18</a></span><br />Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-17.htm">2 Peter 2:17-19</a></span><br />These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. / With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error. / They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jude/1-12.htm">Jude 1:12-13</a></span><br />These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. / They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1-3</a></span><br />If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/16-18.htm">Romans 16:18</a></span><br />For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-5.htm">2 Timothy 3:5</a></span><br />having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/1-16.htm">Titus 1:16</a></span><br />They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a></span><br />Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-31.htm">Jeremiah 5:31</a></span><br />The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-10.htm">Ezekiel 13:10-12</a></span><br />Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built, / tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth. / Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-4.htm">Hosea 6:4-6</a></span><br />What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes. / Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning. / For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Whoever boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.</p><p class="hdg">boasteth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-6.htm">Proverbs 20:6</a></b></br> Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/22-11.htm">1 Kings 22:11</a></b></br> And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/14-11.htm">Luke 14:11</a></b></br> For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/20-14.htm">Boasteth</a> <a href="/psalms/94-4.htm">Boasting</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-14.htm">Boasts</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-15.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-6.htm">Credit</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-12.htm">False.</a> <a href="/psalms/119-78.htm">Falsely</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/psalms/148-8.htm">Vapours</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-29.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/3-5.htm">Boasteth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-32.htm">Boasting</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-6.htm">Boasts</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-3.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-31.htm">Credit</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-18.htm">False.</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-8.htm">Falsely</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-4.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-13.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-23.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-13.htm">Vapours</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-23.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-1.htm">observations about kings</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">and about avoiding causes of quarrels</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/25.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/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Like clouds and wind without rain</b><br>This phrase evokes imagery familiar to an agrarian society dependent on rain for crops. In the ancient Near East, rain was crucial for survival, and clouds and wind often signaled the hope of rain. However, when these elements failed to deliver, it led to disappointment and unfulfilled expectations. This imagery is used elsewhere in Scripture, such as in <a href="/jude/1-12.htm">Jude 1:12</a>, where false teachers are described as "clouds without water," emphasizing their lack of substance and reliability. The metaphor highlights the emptiness of promises that are not fulfilled, drawing a parallel to spiritual barrenness.<p><b>is the man who boasts of gifts never given.</b><br>Boasting of gifts never given refers to making promises or claims that one does not intend to fulfill. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, a person's word was a significant measure of their integrity and character. The Law and the Prophets emphasize the importance of truthfulness and keeping one's word (<a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a>, <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:4-5</a>). This proverb warns against the sin of deceit and the damage it causes to relationships and community trust. It also reflects the biblical principle that actions speak louder than words, as seen in <a href="/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14-17</a>, where faith without works is considered dead. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, contrasting with the unreliability of human boasting.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and understanding.<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 agriculture was a central part of life, making the imagery of clouds and rain particularly poignant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_boaster.htm">The Boaster</a></b><br>The individual described in this proverb is someone who makes promises or boasts about generosity but fails to deliver, akin to clouds that promise rain but do not produce it.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_empty_promises.htm">The Danger of Empty Promises</a></b><br>Making promises without the intention or ability to fulfill them can damage trust and relationships. It is better to under-promise and over-deliver than the reverse.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_integrity.htm">The Importance of Integrity</a></b><br>Integrity involves aligning our words with our actions. As Christians, we are called to reflect God's faithfulness in our own lives by being reliable and trustworthy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_disappointment.htm">The Impact of Disappointment</a></b><br>Just as clouds without rain can lead to drought and disappointment, so can unfulfilled promises lead to disillusionment and hurt. We should strive to be sources of blessing and reliability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_genuine_generosity.htm">The Call to Genuine Generosity</a></b><br>True generosity is not about boasting but about quietly and faithfully meeting the needs of others. Our giving should be motivated by love and compassion, not the desire for recognition.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_jonah's_storm_divinely_sent.htm">Jonah 1:4 - How plausible is it that a sudden storm was divinely sent precisely to target Jonah's fleeing ship?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_disasters_affect_all_people.htm">Proverbs 10:25 says the righteous remain firm in the storm--why then do natural disasters often strike believers and nonbelievers alike?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_proverbs_25_23_meteorologically_accurate.htm">Proverbs 25:23 - Is the claim that a north wind brings rain in ancient Israel scientifically accurate or an example of outdated meteorological belief?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_deut._11_14_align_with_meteorology.htm">How can Deuteronomy 11:14's promise of divine control over rainfall be reconciled with modern meteorological science?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift--</span><span class= "ital">i.e., </span>talks loudly of what he is going to do for another, and then does nothing.<p><span class= "bld">Clouds and wind.--</span>Generally followed by heavy rain, (Comp. <a href="/1_kings/18-45.htm" title="And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.">1Kings 18:45</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - The Hebrew is, <span class="cmt_word">Clouds and wind without rain - he that boasteth himself in a gift of falsehood</span> (see on Ver. 11). The proverb is concerned with promises disappointed. Clouds and wind are generally in the East the precursors of heavy rain, as we read in <a href="/1_kings/18-45.htm">1 Kings 18:45</a>, "In a little while the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain." After such phenomena, which, according to current meteorological observation, gave every hope of a refreshing shower in the time of summer drought, to see the clouds pass away without affording a single drop of rain is a grievous disappointment. The metaphor is found in the New Testament. St. Jude (Ver. 12) calls false teachers "clouds without water, carried along by winds." "A gift of falsehood," equivalent to "a false gift," one that deceives, because it is only promised and never given. A man makes a great parade of going to bestow a handsome present, and then sneaks out of it, and gives nothing. Such a one is, as St. Jerome renders, <span class="accented">Vir gloriosus</span>, <span class="accented">et promissa non complens</span>. The old commentators quote Ovid, 'Heroid.,' 6:509 - <p><span class="foreign">"Mobilis AEsonide, vernaque incertior aura,<br />Cur tua pollicito pondere verba carent?"</span> Deeds are fruits, says the proverb, "words are but leaves;" and "Vainglory blossoms, but never bears fruit." Concerning the folly of making stupid boasts, the Bengalee proverb speaks of a pedlar in ginger getting tidings of his ship. The Septuagint is incorrect, "As winds, and clouds, and rains are most evident (<span class="greek">ἐπιφανέστατα</span>), so is he who boasts of a false gift." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/25-14.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">[Like] clouds</span><br /><span class="heb">נְשִׂיאִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(nə·śî·’îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5387.htm">Strong's 5387: </a> </span><span class="str2">An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and wind</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֭רוּחַ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֑יִן</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·yin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rain</span><br /><span class="heb">וְגֶ֣שֶׁם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḡe·šem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1653.htm">Strong's 1653: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rain, shower</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] the man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֥ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who boasts</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל</span> <span class="translit">(miṯ·hal·lêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1984.htm">Strong's 1984: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of gifts</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמַתַּת־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mat·taṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4991.htm">Strong's 4991: </a> </span><span class="str2">A present</span><br /><br /><span class="word">never given.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׁקֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8267.htm">Strong's 8267: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deception, disappointment, falsehood</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/25-14.htm">Proverbs 25:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/25-14.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:14 As clouds and wind without rain so (Prov. 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