Proverbs 25:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

NIV: In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

NASB: For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

CSB: for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

NLT: You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.

KJV: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.

NKJV: For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

This completes the teaching begun in the prior verse (Proverbs 25:21). Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) notes it's more effective to show kindness to an enemy than to seek revenge. Samson's feud with the Philistines illustrates the escalating spiral of violence produced by revenge (Judges 15:3, 6–8, 10–11, 15). This proverb's advice would stop the never-ending cycle of human vengeance. Spiritually, it also works as a more effective "attack" on an enemy. Responding with revenge gives others reason to think they were justified in their first actions. Responding with loving kindness inspires self-reflection, and possibly a healthy sense of shame. Paul refers to this statement in Romans 12:20.

The reference to burning coals is not a suggestion about pain or even punishment. An ancient Egyptian ritual involved carrying a pan of burning coals on the head as a sign of repentance. Kind acts, towards the very person who has harmed us, are intended to encourage repentance. This teaching indicates that God will bless those who treat their enemies kindly. That not only comes by avoiding further retaliation, and by encouraging unity, but it also reflects someone who correctly understands their personal need for forgiveness (Matthew 6:14–15). It is significant that God showed His love to us when we were His enemies: by giving His Son for us (Romans 5:8).

This chapter includes more statements from Solomon, copied by scribes of King Hezekiah many years later. The first section speaks about the risks of arrogance. The next gives comparisons which teach spiritual lessons. The last segment teaches about relationships, reputation, and self-control.

Chapter 25 begins to relate more wise statements from Solomon. Depending on where they are divided or combined, these amount to around one hundred portions of godly wisdom. These were compiled and added about 250 years after Solomon's reign by men under the direction of King Hezekiah. The phrasing used in verse 1 suggests these were copied from other records into the scrolls associated with the prior proverbs. This collection runs through the end of chapter 29.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.