Meaning

Let not the sun go down on your wrath

The meaning of the phrase

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

The powers that be
The powers that be

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).

180018201840186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • Let not the sun go