Proverbs 17:8

Proverbs 17:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
• New International Version (NIV)A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

Context of Proverbs 17:8

6Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father. 7Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler! A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds. 9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends. 10A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

Proverbs 17:8 word by word

אֶֽבֶן־חֵ֣ן הַ֭שֹּׁחַד בְּעֵינֵ֣י בְעָלָ֑יו אֶֽל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֖ר יִפְנֶ֣ה יַשְׂכִּֽיל׃Read the interlinear

• A bribeשֹׁ֫חַדshachad · bribeH7810
• is a charmחֵןchên · favorH2580
• is a charmאֶ֫בֶן'eben · stoneH68
• toעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• its giverבַּעַלba‛al · master: owningH1167
• whereverאֶל'êl 'el · to(wards)H413
• whereverכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• ·אֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
• he turnsפָּנָהpânâh · to turnH6437
• he succeedsשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:8

• Proverbs 17:23A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.
• Psalms 18:16He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.
• Psalms 19:6it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
• Psalms 27:13Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
• Psalms 29:4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
• Exodus 23:8Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
• Deuteronomy 16:19Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
• Genesis 33:9“I already have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what belongs to you.”
• Genesis 43:11Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
• 1 Samuel 25:35Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him, and he said to her, “Go home in peace. See, I have heeded your voice and granted your request.”
• 2 Samuel 16:1When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
• Micah 7:3Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8A gift is as a precious stone - It both enriches and ornaments. In the latter clause there is an evident allusion to cut stones. Whithersoever you turn them, they reflect the light, are brilliant and beautiful.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8A half-satirical description of the power of bribery in palaces and among judges. The precious stone (literally as in the margin) is probably a gem, thought of as a talisman, which, “wherever it turns,” will ensure “prosperity” to him who, being the possessor, has the power to give it.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8Verse 8 Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts!Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pr 18:16; 19:6).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:8

• Bribery

In the dictionaries

• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Amulet
• Fool; Folly
• Gift

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