---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Proverbs 17"
description: "CHAPTER 17   :-. 1. sacrifices—or, \"feasts\"
made with part of them (compare Proverbs 7:14;
Leviticus 2:3; Leviticus 7:31). with—literally, \"of.\" strife—it"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/17"
---

CHAPTER 17

.

**1. sacrifices**—or, "feasts"
made with part of them (compare [Proverbs 7:14](../../../kjv/proverbs/7/14);
[Leviticus 2:3](../../../kjv/leviticus/2/3); [Leviticus 7:31](../../../kjv/leviticus/7/31)).
**with**—literally, "of."
**strife**—its product, or
attendant.

**2.** (Compare ).
**causeth shame**— ().
**shall . . . inheritance**—that
is, share a brother's part (compare [Numbers 27:4](../../../kjv/numbers/27/4);
[Numbers 27:7](../../../kjv/numbers/27/7)).

**3.** God only knows, as He tries
([Psalms 12:6](../../../kjv/psalms/12/6); [Psalms 66:10](../../../kjv/psalms/66/10))
the heart.

**4.** Wicked doers and speakers
alike delight in calumny.

**5.** (Compare ).
**glad at calamities**—rejoicing
in others' evil. Such are rightly punished by God, who knows their
hearts.

**6.** Prolonged posterity is a
blessing, its cutting off a curse ([Proverbs 13:22](../../../kjv/proverbs/13/22);
[Psalms 109:13-15](../../../kjv/psalms/109/13-15)), hence
children may glory in virtuous ancestry.

**7. Excellent speech**—(Compare
*Margin*). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to
suit) a prince ([Proverbs 16:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/12);
[Proverbs 16:13](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/13)).

**8.** One so corrupt as to take a
bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence
([Proverbs 18:16](../../../kjv/proverbs/18/16); [Proverbs 19:6](../../../kjv/proverbs/19/6)).

**9. seeketh love**—(Compare
*Margin*). The contrast is between the peace-maker and
tale-bearer.

**10.** Reproof more affects the
wise than severe scourging, fools.

**11.** Such meet just retribution
([1 Kings 2:25](../../../kjv/1-kings/2/25)).
**a cruel messenger**—one
to inflict it.

**12.** They are less rational in
anger than wild beasts.

**13.** (Compare [Psalms 7:4](../../../kjv/psalms/7/4);
[Psalms 35:12](../../../kjv/psalms/35/12)).
**evil**—injury to another
([Proverbs 13:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/13/21)).

**14. 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.

**15. abomination . . . Lord**—as
reversing His method of acting ([Proverbs 3:32](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/32);
[Proverbs 12:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/12/2)).

**16.** Though wealth cannot buy
wisdom for those who do not love it, yet wisdom procures wealth
([Proverbs 3:16](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/16); [Proverbs 14:24](../../../kjv/proverbs/14/24)).

**17.** To the second of these
parallel clauses, there is an accession of meaning, that is, that a
brother's love is specially seen in adversity.

**18.** (Compare [Proverbs 6:1-5](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/1-5);
[Proverbs 11:15](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/15)).
**in the presence,** &c.—that
is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.

**19. strife**—contention is, and
leads to, sin.
**he that exalteth his
gate**—gratifies a vain love of costly building.
**seeketh**—or, "findeth,"
as if he sought (compare "loveth death," ).

**20.** The second clause advances
on the first. The ill-natured fail of good, and the cavilling and
fault-finding incur evil.

**21.** (Compare ). Different words are rendered by "fool," both
denoting stupidity and impiety.

**22.** (Compare [Proverbs 14:30](../../../kjv/proverbs/14/30);
[Proverbs 15:13](../../../kjv/proverbs/15/13)). The effect of the
mind on the body is well known.
**medicine**—or, "body,"
which better corresponds with "bone."
**drieth**—as if the marrow
were exhausted.

**23. a gift . . . bosom**—Money
and other valuables were borne in a fold of the garment, called the
bosom.
**to pervert**—that is, by
bribery.

**24. Wisdom . . . him**—ever an
object of regard, while a fool's affections are unsettled.

**25. a grief**—or cross, vexation
(compare [Proverbs 17:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/17/21); [Proverbs 10:1](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/1)).

**26. Also**—that is, Equally to
be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good
rulers.

**27, 28.** Prudence of speech is
commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain
conversation.

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