Scripture · Old Testament
Proverbs 20:2
Proverbs 20:2 is verse 2 of Proverbs chapter 20, shown here in the Berean Standard Bible.
Berean Standard Bible
The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
Literally sins against his own soul
King James Version
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
World English Bible
The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
Read in context
Proverbs 20:1–4 · Berean Standard Bible
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
3 It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
4 The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.
Read all of Proverbs 20Hebrew words
Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
Study Proverbs 20:2
Cross-references
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.
Proverbs 16:14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
Proverbs 16:15When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
Proverbs 19:12A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
Ecclesiastes 10:4If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
Hosea 11:10They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.
Amos 3:8The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken— who will not prophesy?
Proverbs 8:36But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
1 Kings 2:23Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life.