A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

PROVERBS 21:14KJV
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Proverbs 21:14 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 21:14 mean?

Proverbs 21:14 describes a gift as a way to calm an angry person. The proverb pictures a payment made privately that can change the mood of someone who is deeply upset. It observes the effect such a gift can have on a tense relationship.

The “bosom” suggests the fold of a garment near the chest, where something could be carried out of sight. The two halves of the saying use matching images: a secret gift answers to a concealed reward, while anger answers to strong wrath.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 21:14

  • “reward” — שֹׁחַד (shochad): This word can mean a payment or a bribe. It can suggest more than a present given freely; it may be offered to influence the person receiving it.
  • “bosom” — חֵיק (cheq): This word can refer to the chest, lap, or fold of a garment. Here it helps picture the reward as concealed rather than displayed openly.

Why Proverbs 21:14 matters

  • The proverb describes influence, not a public settlement. Both “in secret” and “in the bosom” draw attention to the private way the gift is handled.
  • The saying presents a gift as powerful even against intense emotion. The second half speaks of “strong wrath,” making the force of the anger especially clear.
  • A payment can affect more than a person’s feelings. Proverbs 17:23 uses a similar image of a gift taken “out of the bosom” to describe the corruption of justice.

Where else these words appear

“gift” Hebrew H4976 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 34:12 Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.
  • Numbers 18:11 And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.
  • Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

“reward” Hebrew H7810 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
  • 2 Kings 16:8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent it for a present to the king of Assyria.
  • Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

“strong” Hebrew H5794 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • Judges 14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
  • Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

“bosom” Hebrew H2436 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 16:5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
  • 1 Kings 3:20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
  • Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.