A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 29:22
What does Proverbs 29:22 mean?
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Proverbs 29:22
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This verse points out that anger doesn't just affect you; it's contagious, spreading strife wherever it goes. The amplified idea is that a "furious man" doesn't just commit occasional sins, but his entire life becomes characterized by a surplus of transgressions, all stemming from his uncontrolled temper.
A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb stands as a stark warning within a larger collection of wisdom, often contrasting the righteous with the wicked. It highlights the destructive nature of uncontrolled anger, showing how it doesn't just affect the angry person but also spills over, causing conflict and sin in their relationships and communities. The verses surrounding it often speak of the consequences of poor choices, further emphasizing how an easily provoked temper leads to a cascade of negative outcomes.
Ever notice how one person's bad mood can quickly infect everyone around them? This verse explains why.
Solomon paints a stark picture here: an angry person doesn't just feel anger, they spread it. Like a stone tossed into a still pond, their wrath sends out ripples of conflict and tension.
Stirring Up Strife
The verse uses the phrase 'stirs up strife.' This isn't a gentle nudge; it's an active, disruptive force. An angry individual creates an environment where arguments, disputes, and outright conflict are almost inevitable. Their very presence can be a spark, igniting disagreements that might otherwise have remained dormant.
Abounding in Transgression
When anger takes hold, it doesn't just lead to one mistake. The word 'aboundeth' suggests an overflowing, a plentifulness of wrongdoing. Under the influence of wrath, a person is prone to a cascade of transgressions – harsh words, rash judgments, unfair actions, and even violence. It's a dangerous cycle where one angry outburst can lead to many sins.
What's the difference between a bad mood and the kind of anger this verse warns against? It's all about control.
Proverbs 29:22 distinguishes between a general 'angry man' and a 'furious man.' While both are problematic, the latter speaks of a deeper, more ingrained state of being.
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A Master of Wrath
Commentators note that 'furious' or 'wrathful' can imply someone who is a 'master' of anger, or perhaps even 'wedded' to it. This isn't just a fleeting emotion, but a disposition, a readiness to fly into a rage. It suggests a lack of self-control, where anger easily takes the reins.
Unchecked Explosions
When anger is unchecked, it doesn't stop at minor inconveniences. The verse implies that this uncontrolled fury propels individuals into 'transgression.' What will they not say or do when consumed by such passion? The boundaries of morality and reason are easily breached, leading to actions that harm others and betray one's own values.
Understand the original words
aph · Hebrew Noun
An individual who is prone to outbursts of temper and lack of self-control; one who allows their inner volatility to manifest outwardly.
madon · Hebrew Noun
Discord, conflict, or quarrelsomeness resulting from unchecked emotions or sin; a condition of disorder between people or against God.
pesha · Hebrew Noun
A falling away, revolt, or rebellion against God’s law; an act that crosses the boundary of divine moral standards.
This passage directly contrasts the fruit of human anger with God's will, echoing Proverbs' warning that 'the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.'
Proverbs 15:18This verse provides a parallel concept, stating that a hot-tempered person stirs up strife, reinforcing the core idea of how anger naturally escalates conflict.
Galatians 5:19-21This passage lists 'hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy' as works of the flesh, which directly align with the transgressions caused by an angry, wrathful person.
Ephesians 4:26This verse offers a practical command related to anger: 'Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.' It acknowledges that anger can arise, but warns against letting it fester into transgression, as Proverbs describes.
Matthew 5:22Jesus expands the concept of anger's destructiveness, stating that anyone who is angry with a brother will be liable to judgment. This highlights how even internal anger, not just outward strife, is a serious matter leading to transgression.
pooleProverbs 29:22: "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression."
Is by his passion easily transported into grievous and manifold sins against God, and others, and himself, as swearing, and cursing, and violence, yea, sometimes even to murder.
jfbProverbs 29:22: "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression."
- (Compare Pr 15:18). Such are delighted by discord and violence.
This verse points out that anger doesn't just affect you; it's contagious, spreading strife wherever it goes. The amplified idea is that a "furious man" doesn't just commit occasional sins, but his entire life becomes characterized by a surplus of transgressions, all stemming from his uncontrolled temper.
This proverb stands as a stark warning within a larger collection of wisdom, often contrasting the righteous with the wicked. It highlights the destructive nature of uncontrolled anger, showing how it doesn't just affect the angry person but also spills over, causing conflict and sin in their relationships and communities. The verses surrounding it often speak of the consequences of poor choices, further emphasizing how an easily provoked temper leads to a cascade of negative outcomes.
This proverb stands as a stark warning within a larger collection of wisdom, often contrasting the righteous with the wicked. It highlights the destructive nature of uncontrolled anger, showing how it doesn't just affect the angry person but also spills over, causing conflict and sin in their relationships and communities. The verses surrounding it often speak of the consequences of poor choices, further emphasizing how an easily provoked temper leads to a cascade of negative outcomes.
"A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression." — This verse points out that anger doesn't just affect you; it's contagious, spreading strife wherever it goes. The amplified idea is that a "furious man" doesn't just commit occasional sins, but his e…
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Last reviewed October 2026