Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 18:17
17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
Proverbs 18:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
- New International Version (NIV)In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
Context of Proverbs 18:17
15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. 16A person’s gift opens doors for him and brings him before the great. The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates powerful opponents. 19An offended brother is harder to reach than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:17 word by word
צַדִּ֣יק הָרִאשׁ֣וֹן בְּרִיב֑וֹ וּבָֽא רֵ֝עֵ֗הוּ וַחֲקָרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:17
- Proverbs 18:13The one who gives an answer before he listens — this is foolishness and disgrace for him.
- 2 Samuel 16:1When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a clay jar of wine.
- 2 Samuel 19:24Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.
- Acts 24:5For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17He that is first in his own cause - Any man may, in the first instance, make out a fair tale, because he has the choice of circumstances and arguments. But when the neighbor cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and brings out truth and fact.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17A protest against another fault in judging. Haste is hardly less evil than corruption. “Audi alteram partern “should be the rule of every judge. His neighbor - The other party to the suit “searcheth,” i. e., scrutinizes and detects him.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 It is well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgment of ourselves.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17It is important to listen to both sides of a disagreement. Only foolish people make quick decisions. Wise people take time to understand.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. One-sided statements are not reliable. searcheth--thoroughly (Pr 17:9, 19).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:17
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
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