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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.

Context of Proverbs 17:14

12Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly. 13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out. 15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?

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 17:19Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.
• Proverbs 26:21As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
• Proverbs 29:22A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
• Judges 12:1The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire."
• 2 Samuel 2:14And Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men arise and compete before us." And Joab said, "Let them arise."
• 2 Samuel 19:41Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, "Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?"
• 2 Samuel 20:1Now there happened to be there a worthless man, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite. And he blew the trumpet and said, "We have no portion in David, and we have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to his tents, O Israel!"
• 2 Chronicles 10:14King Rehoboam spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions."
• 2 Chronicles 13:17Abijah and his people struck them with great force, so there fell slain of Israel 500,000 chosen men.
• 2 Chronicles 25:17Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face."
• 2 Chronicles 28:6For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed 120,000 from Judah in one day, all of them men of valor, because they had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers.
• Proverbs 13:10By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
• Proverbs 14:29Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
• Proverbs 15:1A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Proverbs 16:32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
• Proverbs 19:11Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory 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