Proverbs 20:2
The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion: he that provoketh him to anger forfeiteth his life.
JPS TaNaKH 1917
In The King James Version
In Context
1Wine is a mocker, strong drink is riotous; and whosoever reeleth thereby is not wise.
3It is an honour for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be snarling.
Cross References
1 Kings 2:23Then king Solomon swore by the LORD, saying: 'God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.
Proverbs 8:36But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul; all they that hate me love death.'
Proverbs 19:12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
Hosea 11:10They shall walk after the LORD, who shall roar like a lion; for He shall roar, and the children shall come trembling from the west.
Habakkuk 2:10Thou hast devised shame to thy house, by cutting off many peoples, and hast forfeited thy life.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 20:2
Miscellaneous Maxims. 1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Here is, 1. The mischief of drunkenness: Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging. It is so to the sinner himself; it mocks him, makes a fool of him, promises him that satisfaction which it can never give him. It smiles upon him at first, but at the last it bites. In reflection upon it, it rages in his conscience. It is raging in the body, puts the humours into a ferment. When the wine is in the wit is… Read the whole commentary →