Meaning

Let not the sun go down on your wrath

Categorised in: English phrases and sayings that derive from the Bible ·Proverbs from the Bible ·A list of phrases about anger or conflict ·A list of phrases about the natural world ·A List Of 720 English Proverbs, With Their Meanings Explained

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Let not the sun go down on your wrath'?

Do not hold on to your anger for more than one day.

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What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Let not the sun go down on your wrath’?

This expression derives from the Bible, Ephesians 4:26. The earliest version printed in English is in Coverdale’s Bible, 1535:

Be angrie, but synne not. Let not ye Sonne go downe vpo youre wrath.

See also: the List of Proverbs.

Historical trend

“Let not the sun go” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1800–2020).

Let not the sun go