Pro 25:24 | KingComments | STEP | A “backbiting tongue” is a covert tongue, a tongue of a hidden place. It is talking behind someone’s back, slandering him and speaking ill of him. Sooner or later the person about whom it concerns finds out. With him and his family, it will bring anger to their faces, just as the north wind brings rain. In Israel it is not customary for the north wind to bring forth rain; the west wind does. If it does, it is not pleasant. In the same way, a backbiting tongue works. It may speak slimy words, but instead of smiling it brings forth “an angry countenance”. The backbiting tongue of is changed in to the sharp tongue of “a contentious woman”. The repetition of this verse ( ) deepens its significance. Contentious means arguing about every possible thing to be done and decisions to be made. She does not accept that the husband is the head of the family. It is a proverb that is more of a sigh and implies advice. It does not mean that the husband will withdraw from the home and live alone because he is tired of the contention. It is a warning to anyone who has yet to begin a marriage. It is better to live in peaceful solitude and simplicity than in a spacious house in the company of someone with whom you share house and home, but who constantly contends. Therefore, reflect before you begin and choose a God-fearing wife.

‏ Proverbs 25:24

A Backbiting Tongue and a Contentious Woman

A “backbiting tongue” is a covert tongue, a tongue of a hidden place. It is talking behind someone’s back, slandering him and speaking ill of him. Sooner or later the person about whom it concerns finds out. With him and his family, it will bring anger to their faces, just as the north wind brings rain. In Israel it is not customary for the north wind to bring forth rain; the west wind does. If it does, it is not pleasant. In the same way, a backbiting tongue works. It may speak slimy words, but instead of smiling it brings forth “an angry countenance”.

The backbiting tongue of Pro 25:23 is changed in Pro 25:24 to the sharp tongue of “a contentious woman”. The repetition of this verse (Pro 21:9) deepens its significance. Contentious means arguing about every possible thing to be done and decisions to be made. She does not accept that the husband is the head of the family. It is a proverb that is more of a sigh and implies advice.

It does not mean that the husband will withdraw from the home and live alone because he is tired of the contention. It is a warning to anyone who has yet to begin a marriage. It is better to live in peaceful solitude and simplicity than in a spacious house in the company of someone with whom you share house and home, but who constantly contends. Therefore, reflect before you begin and choose a God-fearing wife.