Proverbs 18:1

Proverbs 18:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
• New International Version (NIV)An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.

Context of Proverbs 18:1

He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. 2A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity]. 3When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes, And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).

Proverbs 18:1 word by word

לְֽ֭תַאֲוָה יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ נִפְרָ֑ד בְּכָל־תּ֝וּשִׁיָּ֗ה יִתְגַּלָּֽע׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Through desireתַּאֲוָהta'ăvâh · desireH8378
• a man, having separatedפָּרַדpârad · to separateH6504
• himself, seekethבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• intermeddlethגָּלַעgâla‛ · to quarrelH1566
• with all wisdomתּוּשִׁיָּהtûshîyâh tûshîyâh · wisdomH8454

Cross-references for Proverbs 18:1

• Proverbs 2:1My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you,
• Matthew 13:11Jesus replied to them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
• Mark 4:11He said to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you [who have teachable hearts], but those who are outside [the unbelievers, the spiritually blind] get everything in parables,
• Ephesians 5:15Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],
• Proverbs 14:10The heart knows its own bitterness, And no stranger shares its joy.
• Proverbs 17:14The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes]; Therefore abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.
• Proverbs 20:3It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight], But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].
• Proverbs 24:21My son, fear the Lord and the king; And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
• Proverbs 26:17Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten] Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.
• Isaiah 26:8Indeed, in the path of Your judgments, O Lord, We have waited expectantly for You; Your name, even Your memory, is the desire and deep longing of our souls.
• Jeremiah 15:17I did not sit with the group of those who celebrate, Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because Your [powerful] hand was upon me, For You had filled me with indignation [at their sin].
• Matthew 22:35One of them, a lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law], asked Jesus a question, to test Him:

Commentaries on Proverbs 18:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Through desire a man, having separated himself - The original is difficult and obscure. The Vulgate, Septuagint, and Arabic, read as follows: "He who wishes to break with his friend, and seeks occasions or pretenses shall at all times be worthy of blame." My old MS. Bible translates, Occasioun seeketh that wil go awei fro a freend: at al tyme he schal ben wariable. Coverdale thus: "Who so hath pleasure to sowe discorde, piketh a quarrel in every thinge."…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1The text and the marginal readings indicate the two chief constructions of this somewhat difficult verse. Other renderings are (1) He who separateth himself from others seeks his own desire, and rushes forward against all wise counsel: a warning against self-will and the self-assertion which exults in differing from the received customs and opinions of mankind. (2) he who separates himself (from the foolish, unlearned multitude) seeks his own desire (that…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Verse 1 If we would get knowledge and grace, we must try all methods of improving ourselves.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-24Pr 18:1-24. 1. Through desire ... seeketh--that is, seeks selfish gratification. intermeddleth ... wisdom--or, "rushes on" (Pr 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Pr 2:7).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 18:1

• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Brother
• Contention
• Innermost
• Offend
• Slothful
• Snare
• Stick
• Waster
• Intermeddle
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 18

• 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