Kindness can turn an enemy toward repentance, and God rewards those who trust Him enough to show mercy in the face of hostility.
When Solomon encourages God’s people by saying “For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you” (v.22), he is giving a striking image of the impact kindness can have on one’s adversary. Rather than advocating any form of vengeance, Solomon uses this vivid metaphor to illustrate how compassionate actions can pierce the heart of one who has wronged us. In ancient Hebrew culture, such an image signaled cleansing or remorse—coals on the head could represent conviction of wrongdoing. The promise is that the LORD, the covenant name for God used throughout Israel’s history, sees this loving response and ensures a just outcome.
The verse also contains the assurance that “the LORD will reward you” (v.22). Throughout Proverbs, the wise person is encouraged to trust in God rather than seeking personal vengeance. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul quotes these same words when calling believers to feed their enemies and show kindness rather than repay evil for evil (Romans 12:20). Jesus likewise taught in the Sermon on the Mount that loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us is a mark of being children of our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:44). These passages together reveal that God’s ways of humility and love transcend the urge for retaliation.
By caring for an enemy rather than responding with hostility, believers embody the merciful character of God. “For you will heap burning coals on his head” (v.22) conveys that genuine kindness may awaken a sense of shame or repentance in the heart of the adversary, potentially transforming an enemy into a friend. This principle not only diffuses conflict but also furthers righteous behavior. In trusting God to bring justice and reward, the believer surrenders the natural human desire for payback and instead relies on God’s sovereign grace.
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Proverbs 25:22 meaning
When Solomon encourages God’s people by saying “For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you” (v.22), he is giving a striking image of the impact kindness can have on one’s adversary. Rather than advocating any form of vengeance, Solomon uses this vivid metaphor to illustrate how compassionate actions can pierce the heart of one who has wronged us. In ancient Hebrew culture, such an image signaled cleansing or remorse—coals on the head could represent conviction of wrongdoing. The promise is that the LORD, the covenant name for God used throughout Israel’s history, sees this loving response and ensures a just outcome.
The verse also contains the assurance that “the LORD will reward you” (v.22). Throughout Proverbs, the wise person is encouraged to trust in God rather than seeking personal vengeance. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul quotes these same words when calling believers to feed their enemies and show kindness rather than repay evil for evil (Romans 12:20). Jesus likewise taught in the Sermon on the Mount that loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us is a mark of being children of our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:44). These passages together reveal that God’s ways of humility and love transcend the urge for retaliation.
By caring for an enemy rather than responding with hostility, believers embody the merciful character of God. “For you will heap burning coals on his head” (v.22) conveys that genuine kindness may awaken a sense of shame or repentance in the heart of the adversary, potentially transforming an enemy into a friend. This principle not only diffuses conflict but also furthers righteous behavior. In trusting God to bring justice and reward, the believer surrenders the natural human desire for payback and instead relies on God’s sovereign grace.