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Proverbs Chapter 17

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 28 Verses

What is Proverbs 17 about?

Practical wisdom for daily life, family, work, and worship, all rooted in the fear of the LORD. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
2A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
5Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; [And] he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
6Children`s children are the crown of old men; And the glory of children are their fathers.
7Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.
8A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.
13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.
14The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
17A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
18A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
19He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
22A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.
23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
26Also to punish the righteous is not good, [Nor] to smite the noble for [their] uprightness.
27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, etc.] A small quantity of bread; a broken piece of bread, as the wordf479 signifies; which has been long broken off, and become “dry”f480; a dry crust of bread; old bread, as the Arabic version; an old, mouldy, dry piece of bread: and the word used has the signification of destruction in it: bread that has lost its taste and virtue; or, however, a mere piece of bread is meant, without anything to eat with it, as Gersom, butter, cheese, or flesh: this, with quietness and peace among those that partake of it, peace in the family, in a man’s own mind, especially if…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“(Pro. 17:1-28) sacrifices--or, "feasts" made with part of them (compare Pro 7:14; Lev 2:3; Lev 7:31). with--literally, "of." strife--its product, or attendant.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Sacrifices - The feast accompanied the offerings Proverbs 7:14. Part of the victims were burned upon the altar, the rest was consumed by the worshipper and his friends. The “house full of sacrifices” was therefore one abounding in sumptuous feasts. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 4
“False lips - To false accusations and calumnies, which give him occasion and encouragement to do mischief. Proverbs 17:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 2
“17:2 Wisdom is so much more important than privilege that if children act like fools, a wise servant will rise to prominence over the household.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“a dry: Pro 15:17; Psa 37:16 an house: Pro 7:14 sacrifices: or, good cheer with: Pro 21:9, Pro 21:19 Proverbs 17:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“Pro 17:1 A comparative proverb with טוב, pairing with Pro 16:32 : Better a dry piece of bread, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of slain beasts with unquietness. Similar to this in form and contents are Pro 15:16. and Pro 16:8. פּת חרבה is a piece of bread (פת, fem., as Pro 23:8) without savoury drink (Theodotion, καθ ̓ ἑαυτόν, i.e., nothing with it), cf. Lev 7:10, a meat-offering without the pouring out of oil. זבחים are not sacrificial gifts (Hitzig), but, as always, slain animals, i.e., either offerings or banquets of slain beasts; it is the old name of the שׁלמים (cf. Exo 18:12; Exo 24:5; Pro…”
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