Berean Standard Bible
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 rainy day and a contentious woman are alike— 16restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. 18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. 19As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.
Read all of Proverbs 27Proverbs 27:17 word by word
בַּרְזֶ֣ל בְּבַרְזֶ֣ל יָ֑חַד וְ֝אִ֗ישׁ יַ֣חַד פְּנֵֽי־רֵעֵֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 27:17
- 1 Samuel 13:20Instead, all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen their plowshares, mattocks, axes, and sickles.
- Joshua 1:18Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”
- Joshua 2:24“The LORD has surely delivered the entire land into our hands,” they said to Joshua. “Indeed, all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of us.”
- 1 Samuel 11:9So they said to the messengers who had come, “Tell the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.’” And when the messengers relayed this to the men of Jabesh, they rejoiced.
- 1 Samuel 23:16And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God,
- 2 Samuel 10:11“If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue.
- Job 4:3Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.
- Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this.
- 2 Timothy 1:8So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
- 2 Timothy 2:3Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- Hebrews 10:24And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
- James 1:2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
- 1 Peter 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange 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
In the dictionaries
Notes
- 1. Proverbs 27:17 Hebrew sharpens the face of another or sharpens the countenance of a friend ↩
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
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