Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 18:16
16A person’s gift opens doors for him and brings him before the great.
Proverbs 18:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
- New International Version (NIV)A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
Context of Proverbs 18:16
14A person’s spirit can endure sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit? 15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. A person’s gift opens doors for him and brings him before the great. 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:16 word by word
מַתָּ֣ן אָ֭דָם יַרְחִ֣יב ל֑וֹ וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְדֹלִ֣ים יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:16
- Proverbs 17:8A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
- Proverbs 19:6Many seek a ruler’s favor, and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.
- Proverbs 21:14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.
- Genesis 32:20You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I want to appease Esau with the gift that is going ahead of me. After that, I can face him, and perhaps he will forgive me.”
- Genesis 33:10But Jacob said, “No, please! If I have found favor with you, take this gift from me. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing God’s face, since you have accepted me.
- 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 take them down to the man as a gift — a little balsam and a little honey, aromatic gum and resin, pistachios and almonds.
- 1 Samuel 25:27Let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow my lord.
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A man's gift maketh room for him - It is, and ever has been, a base and degrading practice in Asiatic countries, to bring a gift or present to the great man into whose presence you come. Without this there is no audience, no favor, no justice. This arose from the circumstance that men must not approach the altar of God without an offering. Potentates, wishing to be considered as petty gods, demanded a similar homage: - Munera, crede mihi, capiunt…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16The “gift” (or, bribe), by a bold personification, appears as the powerful “friend at court,” who introduces another, and makes him welcome in high places.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 Blessed be the Lord, who makes us welcome to come to his throne, without money and without price. May his gifts make room for him in our souls.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16See “Bribes” Theme Note.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- 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
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
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