Proverbs 18

Proverbs · Chapter 18

Proverbs 18:16

1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.16A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.20A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
16A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
[the] gift ofמַתָּ֣ןma-TANH4976
gift

מַתָּן (mat.tan) gifts, offerings, presents

a personאָ֭דָם'A-domH0120G
man

אָדָם (a.dam) 1) man, mankind 1a) man, human being 1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT) 1c) Adam, first man 1d) city in Jordan valley

it makes spaceיַרְחִ֣יבyar-CHIVH7337
to enlarge

רָחַב (ra.chav) 1) to be or grow wide, be or grow large 1a) (Qal) to be widened, be enlarged 1b) (Niphal) broad or roomy pasture (participle) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make large 1c2) to enlarge

and to beforeוְלִפְנֵ֖יve-lif-NEIH6440G
face: before

פָּנֶה (pa.neh) : before/to/front 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

great [people]גְדֹלִ֣יםge-do-LIMH1419A
great: large

גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) adj 1) great 1a) large (in magnitude and extent) 1b) in number 1c) in intensity 1d) loud (in sound) 1e) older (in age) 1f) in importance 1f1) important things 1f2) great, distinguished (of men) 1f3) God Himself (of God) subst 1g) great things 1h) haughty things 1i) greatness Also means: ga.dol (גָּדוֹל ": old" H1419K) § Haggedolim = "the great one" (CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel

it leads himיַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃yan-CHE-nuH5148
to lead

נָחָה (na.chah) 1) to lead, guide 1a) (Qal) to lead, bring 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, guide

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.