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 a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers. 3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts. 4A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar gives ear to a destructive tongue.

Proverbs 17:2 word by word

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

• A wiseשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919
• servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• will rule overמָשַׁלmâshal · to ruleH4910
• a disgracefulבּוֹשׁbûsh · be ashamedH954
• sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• and shareחָלַקchâlaq · to divideH2505
• his inheritanceנַחֲלָהnachălâh · inheritanceH5159
• as one ofתָּ֫וֶךְtâvek · midstH8432
• the brothersאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:2

• Proverbs 11:29He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
• Proverbs 14:35A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
• Genesis 24:4but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”
• Ecclesiastes 4:13Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.
• Proverbs 10:5He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
• Proverbs 19:26He who assaults his father or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.
• Proverbs 29:15A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces 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