Proverbs 26:17

Proverbs 26:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
• New International Version (NIV)Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

Context of Proverbs 26:17

15The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. 16The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. 18Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, 19so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

Proverbs 26:17 word by word

מַחֲזִ֥יק בְּאָזְנֵי־כָ֑לֶב עֹבֵ֥ר מִ֝תְעַבֵּ֗ר עַל־רִ֥יב לֹּֽא־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

• Like one who grabsחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: holdH2388
• a dogכֶּ֫לֶבkeleb · dogH3611
• by the earsאֹ֫זֶן'ôzen · earH241
• is a passerbyעָבַר‛âbar · to pass: bringH5674
• who meddlesעָבַר‛âbar · be angryH5674
• inעַל‛al · uponH5921
• a quarrelרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379
• notלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808

Cross-references for Proverbs 26:17

• Proverbs 17:11An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
• Proverbs 18:6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
• Proverbs 20:3It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
• Luke 12:14But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?”
• 2 Timothy 2:23But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.

Commentaries on Proverbs 26:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17He that passeth by - This proverb stands true ninety-nine times out of a hundred, where people meddle with domestic broils, or differences between men and their wives.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 To make ourselves busy in other men's matters, is to thrust ourselves into temptation.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17Wise people stay out of other people's arguments (compare Proverbs 26:21).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. meddleth--as in Pr 20:19; 24:21; as either holding a dog by the ears or letting him go involves danger, so success in another man's strife or failure involves a useless risk of reputation, does no good, and may do us harm.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 26:17

• Strife

In the dictionaries

• Causeless
• Conceit
• Kindle
• Render
• Seemly
• Sport
• Talebearer
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Vex, Vexation

Commentaries on Proverbs 26

• 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