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

15A lazy person pushes his hand into his bowl of food. But then he is too tired to lift his hand up to his mouth. 16A lazy person thinks that he is very wise. He thinks that he is wiser than seven people who can answer questions well. When strangers are arguing, only a fool joins the argument. It would be better if he took hold of a wild dog's ears! 18A crazy man may shoot sharp arrows to kill people. 19If a person deceives his friend and then laughs about it, he is as bad as that crazy person.

Proverbs 26:17 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• He that passeth byעָבַר‛âbar · to pass: bringH5674
• meddlethעָבַר‛âbar · be angryH5674
• with strifeרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379
• one that takethחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: holdH2388
• a dogכֶּ֫לֶבkeleb · dogH3611
• by the earsאֹ֫זֶן'ôzen · earH241

Cross-references for Proverbs 26:17

• Proverbs 17:11An evil person never obeys authority, so a cruel messenger will come to punish him.
• Proverbs 18:6When a fool speaks, he starts an argument. He is asking for someone to beat him with a stick.
• Proverbs 20:3If you keep away from arguments, you will receive honour. Only fools love to quarrel.
• Luke 12:14Jesus replied, ‘It is not my job to say which of you is right or wrong. And it is not my job to say how much each of you should have.’
• 2 Timothy 2:23Do not join with people who want to argue about silly things that do not mean anything. You know that silly things like that only cause people to quarrel.

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