Proverbs 27:17

Proverbs 27:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
• New International Version (NIV)As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
• New King James Version (NKJV)As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Context of Proverbs 27:17

15A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious (quarrelsome) woman are alike; 16Whoever attempts to restrain her [criticism] might as well try to stop the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand. As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]. 18He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who faithfully protects and cares for his master will be honored. 19As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.

Proverbs 27:17 word by word

בַּרְזֶ֣ל בְּבַרְזֶ֣ל יָ֑חַד וְ֝אִ֗ישׁ יַ֣חַד פְּנֵֽי־רֵעֵֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Ironבַּרְזֶלbarzel · ironH1270
• sharpenethחָדַהchâdad · to sharpenH2300
• so a manאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
• the countenanceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• of his friendרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453

Cross-references for Proverbs 27:17

• 1 Samuel 13:20So all [the men of] Israel went down to the Philistines, each to get his plowshare, pick, axe, or sickle sharpened.
• Joshua 1:18Any man who rebels against your command and does not obey everything that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous.”
• Joshua 2:24They said to Joshua, “Certainly the Lord has given all the land into our hands; for all the inhabitants of the land have melted [in despair] because of us.”
• 1 Samuel 11:9They said to the messengers who had come, “You shall say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have help [against the Ammonites].’ ” So the messengers came and reported this to the men of Jabesh; and they were overjoyed.
• 1 Samuel 23:16And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went [into the woods] to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.
• 2 Samuel 10:11Joab said [to Abishai], “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come to help you.
• Job 4:3Behold, you have admonished and instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.
• Isaiah 35:3Encourage the exhausted, and make staggering knees firm.
• 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that no one would be unsettled by these difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you know that we have been destined for this [as something unavoidable in our position].
• 2 Timothy 1:8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible],
• 2 Timothy 2:3Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
• Hebrews 10:24and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds,
• James 1:2Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials.
• 1 Peter 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.

Commentaries on Proverbs 27:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Iron sharpeneth iron - As hard iron, viz., steel, will bring a knife to a better edge when it is properly whetted against it: so one friend may be the means of exciting another to reflect, dive deeply into, and illustrate a subject, without which whetting or excitement, this had never taken place. Had Horace seen this proverb in the Septuagint translation when he wrote to the Pisos? Ergo fungar vice cotis, acutum Reddere quae ferrum valet, exors ipsa…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17The proverb expresses the gain of mutual counsel as found in clear, well-defined thoughts. Two minds, thus acting on each other, become more acute. This is better than to see in “sharpening” the idea of provoking, and the point of the maxim in the fact that the quarrels of those who have been friends are bitter in proportion to their previous intimacy.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17iron sharpens iron: Wisdom comes from interacting, often critically, with a good friend (see Proverbs 27:6, 9).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. a man sharpeneth ... friend--that is, conversation promotes intelligence, which the face exhibits.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 27:17

• Countenance
• Friendship
• Iron

In the dictionaries

• Answer
• Boast
• Bray
• Contentious
• Look
• Soul
• Wrath
• Countenance
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 27

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings