As the north wind brings forth rainIn the ancient Near East, weather patterns were well understood by the people, and the north wind was often associated with bringing rain. This reflects the agrarian society's dependence on weather for agriculture. The north wind, in particular, was known to bring cooler, moisture-laden air, which would result in rain. This imagery is used to convey the inevitability of certain outcomes, much like the predictable nature of weather patterns. In biblical literature, weather is often used metaphorically to describe divine intervention or judgment, as seen in
Job 37:9-13, where God uses the weather to demonstrate His power and wisdom.
so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks
The term "backbiting tongue" refers to gossip or slander, which is condemned throughout Scripture. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, maintaining one's reputation and honor was of utmost importance, and slander could have severe social consequences. The comparison to the north wind suggests that just as the wind inevitably brings rain, so does gossip inevitably lead to conflict and anger. This aligns with other biblical teachings on the power of the tongue, such asJames 3:5-6, which warns of the tongue's potential to cause great harm. The "angry looks" symbolize the relational damage and discord that result from malicious speech, highlighting the importance of integrity and truthfulness in communication.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
North WindIn the context of the ancient Near East, the north wind was often associated with bringing rain and storms. It is a natural phenomenon that is used metaphorically in this proverb.
2.
Backbiting TongueThis refers to a person who speaks maliciously or slanders others behind their backs. It is a metaphor for harmful and deceitful speech.
3.
Angry LooksThe reaction or consequence of backbiting, representing the discord and anger that such speech can provoke in others.
Teaching Points
The Power of WordsWords have the power to build up or tear down. Just as the north wind inevitably brings rain, a backbiting tongue will inevitably lead to conflict and anger.
Guarding Our SpeechBelievers are called to guard their tongues and avoid speaking ill of others. This requires self-control and a heart aligned with Christ's teachings.
Consequences of SlanderSlander and gossip not only harm the person being spoken about but also damage the speaker's reputation and relationships. It leads to distrust and division.
Promoting PeaceInstead of engaging in backbiting, Christians should strive to be peacemakers, using their words to encourage and uplift others.
Reflecting Christ in Our SpeechOur speech should reflect the love and truth of Christ. By speaking with integrity and kindness, we bear witness to our faith.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 25:23?
2.How does Proverbs 25:23 illustrate the impact of words on relationships?
3.What behaviors should we avoid to prevent "a backbiting tongue"?
4.How can we apply Proverbs 25:23 to promote peace in our community?
5.What other scriptures warn against gossip and its consequences?
6.How can Proverbs 25:23 guide us in addressing conflict biblically?
7.What does Proverbs 25:23 reveal about the nature of human communication and conflict?
8.How does Proverbs 25:23 relate to the concept of divine justice?
9.What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 25:23?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 25?
11.Proverbs 25:23 – Is the claim that a north wind brings rain in ancient Israel scientifically accurate or an example of outdated meteorological belief?
12.What is the Bible's view on moderation?
13.Proverbs 10:25 says the righteous remain firm in the storm--why then do natural disasters often strike believers and nonbelievers alike?
14.In Acts 27:9-10, how could Paul, with no maritime expertise, accurately predict the ship's disaster when seasoned sailors disagreed?What Does Proverbs 25:23 Mean
As the north wind brings forth rain• Solomon points to a predictable pattern everyone in Israel could see: when the cold, moisture-laden wind swept down from the north and the Mediterranean (Job 37:9;Luke 12:54), showers followed.
• The image underscores certainty. Just as “If the clouds are full, they empty out rain upon the earth” (Ecclesiastes 11:3), the cause guarantees the effect.
• By choosing such an everyday illustration, Proverbs grounds wisdom in observable reality; what God orders in nature teaches what He orders in relationships.
So a backbiting tongue brings angry looks• Backbiting—speaking behind someone’s back with the intent to wound—sets off an equally certain chain reaction.
–Proverbs 16:28 notes that “A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.”
–Proverbs 26:20-22 explains that gossip fuels strife the way wood feeds fire; anger is the inevitable blaze.
–James 3:5-6 reminds us the tongue is a spark that can ignite a forest.
• Observable outcomes:
– Trust evaporates; the wounded party feels betrayed and reacts with “angry looks.”
– Communities fracture; families and churches experience cooling fellowship (Ephesians 4:31).
• Wise alternatives:
– Guard the lips: “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up” (Ephesians 4:29).
– Redirect conversation toward blessing (Proverbs 15:1;Psalm 34:13).
– Seek reconciliation quickly, following the Lord’s counsel inMatthew 5:22-24.
summaryWhat falling rain is to the north wind, anger is to backbiting—automatic, unavoidable, and often drenching. The proverb calls us to treat slander as seriously as any storm warning: shut the windows of the heart, refuse to spread hidden criticism, and speak words that build up rather than break down. In so doing, we align our speech with the God who designed both the weather patterns above us and the relational patterns among us.
(23)
The north wind driveth away rain.--The marginal rendering is probably more correct: "The north wind bringeth forth rain;
"but as this seems to be opposed to
Job 37:22, it has been thought that the north-west, which is a rainy wind, must be intended here.
So doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.--Rather,So doth a backbiting tongue(bring forth, or cause) troubled faces.
Verse 23. -
The north wind driveth away rain. So St. Jerome (
VentusAquilo dissipat pluvias), Symmachus, Aben Ezra, and others. The north wind is called by the natives of Palestine "the heavenly," from the bright effect which it produces in the sky. "By means of the north wind cometh he (the sun) forth as gold" (
Job 37:22). But the verb here used (
חול) means "to bring forth, produce" (
Psalm 90:2); hence the Revised Version rightly renders, "The north wind bringeth forth rain." This is quite true if "north wind" be taken as equivalent to "wind from the dark quarter" (Umbreit), like
ζόφος in Greek; and, in fact, the northwest wind in Palestine does bring rain. Septuagint, "The north wind arouseth (
ἐξεγείρει) clouds."
So doth an angry countenance a backbiting, tongue. Carrying on the interpretation intended by the Authorized Version, this clause means that an angry leer will check a slanderer and incline him to hold his peace from prudential motives. But with the rendering given above, "bringeth forth," another explanation is involved, viz. "So does a secret, slandering tongue cause a troubled countenance." When a man discovers that a secret slanderer is working against him, he shows it by his gloomy and angry look, as the sky is dark with clouds when a storm is threatened. "Countenance" is plural in the Hebrew, denoting, as Hitzig points out, that the calumniator does not affect one person only, but occasions trouble far and wide, destroys friendly relations between many, excites suspicion and enmity in various quarters Septuagint, "An impudent countenance provokes the tongue."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
As the northצָ֭פוֹן(ṣā·p̄ō·wn)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6828:Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarterwindר֣וּחַ(rū·aḥ)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritbrings forthתְּח֣וֹלֵֽל(tə·ḥō·w·lêl)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2342:To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervertrain,גָּ֑שֶׁם(gā·šem)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1653:Rain, showerso a backbitingסָֽתֶר׃(sā·ṯer)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5643:A covering, hiding place, secrecytongueלְשׁ֣וֹן(lə·šō·wn)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 3956:The tongue[brings] angryנִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים(niz·‘ā·mîm)Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2194:To foam at the mouth, to be enragedlooks.וּפָנִ֥ים(ū·p̄ā·nîm)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440:The face
Links
Proverbs 25:23 NIVProverbs 25:23 NLTProverbs 25:23 ESVProverbs 25:23 NASBProverbs 25:23 KJV
Proverbs 25:23 BibleApps.comProverbs 25:23 Biblia ParalelaProverbs 25:23 Chinese BibleProverbs 25:23 French BibleProverbs 25:23 Catholic Bible
OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:23 The north wind brings forth rain: so (Prov. Pro Pr) 
