Lexical Summary kaphah: To bend, bow down, subdue Original Word: כָּפָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pacify A primitive root; properly, to bend, i.e. (figuratively) to tame or subdue -- pacify. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to subdue NASB Translation subdues (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [כָּפָה] verb probably subdue (Late Hebrew overturn, hold under, compel; Aramaic כְּפָא, id.;  incline (as face to ground), overturn; Assyrian kipû perhaps id., DlHWB 346; compare Arabic  overturn, turn back); — only Qal Imperfect מַתָּן בַּסֵּתֶר יִכְמֶּהאָֿ֑ף Proverbs 21:14 a gift in secret subdueth anger (so Thes Rob-Ges; Ew beugt: Fl De averteth, from the Arabic, is more remote; ᵐ5 ἀνατρέπει, compare Late Hebrew). כִּמָּה see below כפף. Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Figurative Sense The verb כָּפָה describes a force that presses down, subdues, or suppresses. In its lone Old Testament occurrence the word is applied to anger, presenting the picture of wrath being weighed upon until it lies still. Rather than implying a superficial appeasement, the term evokes the decisive quelling of an emotional storm. Occurrence and Immediate Scriptural Setting Proverbs 21:14—“A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath”. The proverb joins two parallel lines. In the first, the clandestine gift “soothes” (כָּפָה) anger; in the second, a bribe hidden in the bosom “pacifies” great wrath. Together they teach that anger, though powerful, can be brought under control by prudent action. The singular appearance of כָּפָה intensifies its meaning: it is reserved for the moment when anger yields. Cultural and Historical Background of Pacifying Gifts In the Ancient Near East gifts functioned as tangible pledges of goodwill. Diplomatic delegations (Genesis 43:11), tribal negotiations (Judges 3:15), and family reconciliations (Genesis 32:20-21) all depended upon offerings that signaled humble intent. The secrecy emphasized in Proverbs 21:14 suggests a delicate situation where public negotiation might provoke greater offense. By moving quietly—“in secret”—the giver avoids shaming the offended party, allowing wrath to subside without loss of honor. Intertextual Parallels and Broader Canonical Themes Proverbs repeatedly links soft answers or timely gifts with the calming of anger: Narrative examples reinforce the same truth. Abigail’s hastily prepared provisions averted David’s vengeance (1 Samuel 25:18-35). Jacob’s gifts to Esau were intended “to appease him with the gifts…” (Genesis 32:20), showing the long-standing wisdom of tangible conciliation. Ethical and Discipleship Implications 1. Wise Conciliation: The verb underscores that anger need not be allowed to run its course. Thoughtful, even sacrificial, acts often subdue conflict before it escalates. Pastoral and Homiletical Use • Conflict Resolution: Counselors can point offended parties toward quiet, concrete kindness as a scriptural tool for de-escalation. Christological Foreshadowing and Doctrinal Resonance Though distinct from the cognate כָּפַר (“to atone”), כָּפָה resonates with the broader biblical motif of wrath being covered or stilled. The ultimate pacifying “gift” is the self-offering of Jesus Christ, whose atoning death quenches divine wrath (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2). Proverbs 21:14 thus anticipates, in miniature, the gospel pattern: gracious initiative from the offended party’s side brings peace. Summary כָּפָה portrays the decisive subduing of anger. Appearing only in Proverbs 21:14, it captures the wisdom of discreet, sincere generosity in restoring broken relationships. Historically grounded in the Near-Eastern practice of conciliatory gifts, the term points forward to the greater reconciliation accomplished through the sacrificial gift of Christ, encouraging believers to be agents of peace through humble, thoughtful action. Forms and Transliterations יִכְפֶּה־ יכפה־ yichpeh yiḵ·peh- yiḵpeh-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 21:14 HEB: מַתָּ֣ן בַּ֭סֵּתֶר יִכְפֶּה־ אָ֑ף וְשֹׁ֥חַד NAS: in secret subdues anger, KJV: in secret pacifieth anger: INT: A gift secret subdues anger bribe 1 Occurrence |
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