Proverbs 17:2

Proverbs 17:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
• New International Version (NIV)A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

Context of Proverbs 17:2

1Better is a dry morsel [of food served] with quietness and peace Than a house full of feasting [served] with strife and contention. A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family] And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers. 3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests hearts. 4An evildoer listens closely to wicked lips; And a liar pays attention to a destructive and malicious tongue.

Proverbs 17:2 word by word

עֶֽבֶד־מַשְׂכִּ֗יל יִ֭מְשֹׁל בְּבֵ֣ן מֵבִ֑ישׁ וּבְת֥וֹךְ אַ֝חִ֗ים יַחֲלֹ֥ק נַחֲלָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A wiseשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919
• servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• shall have ruleמָשַׁלmâshal · to ruleH4910
• over a sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• that causeth shameבּוֹשׁbûsh · be ashamedH954
• and shall have partחָלַקchâlaq · to divideH2505
• of the inheritanceנַחֲלָהnachălâh · inheritanceH5159
• amongתָּ֫וֶךְtâvek · midstH8432
• the brethrenאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:2

• Proverbs 11:29He who troubles (mismanages) his own house will inherit the wind (nothing), And the foolish will be a servant to the wise-hearted.
• Proverbs 14:35The king’s favor and good will are toward a servant who acts wisely and discreetly, But his anger and wrath are toward him who acts shamefully.
• Genesis 24:4but you will [instead] go to my [former] country (Mesopotamia) and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac [the heir of the covenant promise].”
• Ecclesiastes 4:13A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction and counsel (friendly reproof, warning)—
• Proverbs 10:5He who gathers during summer and takes advantage of his opportunities is a son who acts wisely, But he who sleeps during harvest and ignores the moment of opportunity is a son who acts shamefully.
• Proverbs 19:26He who assaults his father and chases away his mother Is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
• Proverbs 29:15The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:2

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2The “servant,” it must be remembered, was a slave, but (as in such cases as Genesis 15:2; 2 Samuel 16:4) might succeed to the inheritance.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2Verse 2 The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Wisdom is more important than privilege. If children act foolishly, a wise servant will become the leader of the household.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. (Compare Pr 14:35). causeth shame--(Pr 10:5). shall ... inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare Nu 27:4, 7).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:2

• Children
• Inheritance
• Prudence
• Servant
• Wisdom
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings