Proverbs 17:14

“The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water, etc.] As when a man makes a little hole in the bank of a river, or cuts a small passage in it, to let the water into an adjoining field; by the force of the water, the passage is widened, and it flows in, in great abundance, to the overflow and prejudice of the field; nor is it easily stopped: so a single word, spoken in anger, with some warmth, or in a way of contradiction, has been the beginning and occasion of great strife and contention. The words in the Hebrew text lie thus; “he that letteth out water [is] the beginning of strife”f496; which some understand of letting out water into another man’s field, which occasions…”

“letteth . . . water--as a breach in a dam. before . . . meddled with--before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.”

“The figure is taken from the great tank or reservoir upon which Eastern cities often depended for their supply of water. The beginning of strife is compared to the first crack in the mound of such a reservoir. At first a few drops ooze out, but after a time the whole mass of waters pour themselves forth with fury, and it is hard to set limits to the destruction which they cause. Before it be meddled with - literally, “before it rolls, or rushes forward.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Letteth out - By cutting the bank of a river. Leave off - Avoid the occasions, and prevent the beginning of contention. Proverbs 17:16”

“17:14 opening a floodgate: Once a quarrel starts, it is very difficult to stop it; a dispute should be avoided if at all possible (see 10:12; 15:18; 16:28; 20:3; 22:10; 26:21).”

“beginning: Pro 17:19, Pro 26:21, Pro 29:22; Jdg 12:1-6; Sa2 2:14-17, Sa2 19:41-43, 20:1-22; Ch2 10:14-16, Ch2 13:17, Ch2 25:17-24, Ch2 28:6 leave: Pro 13:10, Pro 14:29, Pro 15:1, Pro 16:32, Pro 19:11, Pro 20:3, Pro 25:8; Gen 13:8, Gen 13:9; Jdg 8:1-3; Ecc 7:8, Ecc 7:9; Mat 5:39-41; Act 6:1-5, 15:2-21; Rom 12:18; Th1 4:11; Ti2 2:23, Ti2 2:24; Jam 3:14-18 Proverbs 17:15”

“14 As one letteth out water is the beginning of a strife; But cease thou from such strife ere it comes to showing teeth. The meaning of this verb פּטר is certain: it means to break forth; and transitively, like Arab. faṭr, to bring forth from a cleft, to make to break forth, to let go free (Theodotion, ἀπολύων; Jerome, dimittit; Venet. ἀφιείς). The lxx, since it translates by ἐξουσίαν δίδωσι, thinks on the juristic signification, which occurs in the Chronicles: to make free, or to declare so; but here פּוטר מים (vid., regarding the Metheg at Pro 14:31) is, as Luther translates, one who tears away the dam from the waters. And ראשׁית מדון is not accus. dependent on פוטר, to be supplied…”