Proverbs 17:14

Proverbs 17:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
• New International Version (NIV)Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

Context of Proverbs 17:14

12Better for a person to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his foolishness. 13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never depart from his house. To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out. 15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just — both are detestable to the Lord. 16Why does a fool have money in his hand with no intention of buying wisdom?

Proverbs 17:14 word by word

פּ֣וֹטֵֽר מַ֭יִם רֵאשִׁ֣ית מָד֑וֹן וְלִפְנֵ֥י הִ֝תְגַּלַּ֗ע הָרִ֥יב נְטֽוֹשׁ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The beginningרֵאשִׁיתrê'shîyth · first: beginningH7225
• of strifeמָדוֹןmâdôn · strifeH4066
• when one letteth outפָּטַרpâţar · to separateH6362
• waterמַיmayim · waterH4325
• therefore leave offנָטַשׁnâţash · to leaveH5203
• contentionרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379
• beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• it be meddledגָּלַעgâla‛ · to quarrelH1566

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:14

• Proverbs 17:19One who loves to offend loves strife; one who builds a high threshold invites injury.
• Proverbs 26:21As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
• Proverbs 29:22An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered one increases rebellion.
• Judges 12:1The men of Ephraim were called together and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight against the Ammonites but didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house with you in it!”
• 2 Samuel 2:14Then Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have the young men get up and compete in front of us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied.
• 2 Samuel 19:41Suddenly, all the men of Israel came to the king. They asked him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and transport the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all of David’s men?”
• 2 Samuel 20:1Now a wicked man, a Benjaminite named Sheba son of Bichri, happened to be there. He blew the ram’s horn and shouted: We have no portion in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Each man to his tent, Israel!
• 2 Chronicles 10:14and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father disciplined you with whips, but I, with barbed whips.”
• 2 Chronicles 13:17Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and five hundred thousand fit young men of Israel were killed.
• 2 Chronicles 25:17King Amaziah of Judah took counsel and sent word to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, and challenged him: “Come, let’s meet face to face.”
• 2 Chronicles 28:6Pekah son of Remaliah killed one hundred twenty thousand in Judah in one day — all brave men — because they had abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors.
• Proverbs 13:10Arrogance leads to nothing but strife, but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.
• Proverbs 14:29A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.
• Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
• Proverbs 16:32Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.
• Proverbs 19:11A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water - As soon as the smallest breach is made in the dike or dam, the water begins to press from all parts towards the breach; the resistance becomes too great to be successfully opposed, so that dikes and all are speedily swept away. Such is the beginning of contentions, quarrels, lawsuits, etc. Leave off contention, before it be meddled with - As you see what an altercation must lead to, therefore do…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14The figure is taken from the great tank or reservoir upon which Eastern cities often depended for their supply of water. The beginning of strife is compared to the first crack in the mound of such a reservoir. At first a few drops ooze out, but after a time the whole mass of waters pour themselves forth with fury, and it is hard to set limits to the destruction which they cause. Before it be meddled with - literally, “before it rolls, or rushes forward.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14Verse 14 What danger there is in the beginning of strife! Resist its earliest display; and leave it off, if it were possible, before you begin.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14release a flood: Once a quarrel starts, stopping it is hard. Avoid disputes whenever possible (see Proverbs 10:12; 15:18; 16:28; 20:3; 22:10; 26:21).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. letteth ... water--as a breach in a dam. before ... meddled with--before strife has become sharp, or, by an explanation better suiting the figure, before it rolls on, or increases.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:14

• Adjudication at Law
• Anger
• Peace
• Strife

In the dictionaries

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