Matthew Poole and continuators on Proverbs 25:23

23 The North-wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue .

In the hearer, who by his countenance sheweth his dislike of such Persons and practices.

Heb. a secret Tongue, which privily slandereth his Neighbour as it is expressed, Psal. 101. 5. and as the manner of Back-biters is. But this Verse is otherwise rendred in the Margent, and by diverse others, The North Wind bringeth forth (as this Verb properly and most frequently signifies, and as it is rendred by all the Ancient Interpreters, and by many others) Rain: (which it doth in Iudea, because the Sea lies Norward, as well as Westward, from it, as also in Africa, as Aristotle observes, though it drive away Rain in Countries of another situation) so doth a backbiting Tongue (cause) an angry Countenance, it causeth much anger and mischief, both to the Person slandered, and to the slanderer, and to other Persons who may be concerned with or for either of them, as is manifest from common experience.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 37. 22.; [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] north [illegible: 1+ letters] bringeth [illegible: 1 word]: so [illegible: 1 word] back [illegible: 1+ letters] tongue [illegible: 1 word] coun [illegible: 1+ letters].