Proverbs 27:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Envy is more dangerous and overpowering than wrath or anger.
The Context of Proverbs 27:4
A hierarchy of destructive emotions, with envy as the most overpowering.
What Does Proverbs 27:4 Mean?
The proverb acknowledges that wrath and anger are destructive forces, yet asks pointedly: who can withstand envy? The rhetorical question implies that envy surpasses anger in its power to devastate and control a person's actions.
Envy eats at the soul and drives a person to actions even cruelty might restrain. It is relentless because the envious person measures themselves against another's good, finding their own state perpetually deficient.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 27:4
What does Proverbs 27:4 mean?
Envy is more dangerous and overpowering than wrath or anger.
What is the context of Proverbs 27:4?
A hierarchy of destructive emotions, with envy as the most overpowering.