Proverbs 17:2

Proverbs 17:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
• New International Version (NIV)A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

Context of Proverbs 17:2

1Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. 3The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. 4An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

Proverbs 17:2 word by word

עֶֽבֶד־מַשְׂכִּ֗יל יִ֭מְשֹׁל בְּבֵ֣ן מֵבִ֑ישׁ וּבְת֥וֹךְ אַ֝חִ֗ים יַחֲלֹ֥ק נַחֲלָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A wiseשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919
• servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• shall have ruleמָשַׁלmâshal · to ruleH4910
• over a sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• that causeth shameבּוֹשׁbûsh · be ashamedH954
• and shall have partחָלַקchâlaq · to divideH2505
• of the inheritanceנַחֲלָהnachălâh · inheritanceH5159
• amongתָּ֫וֶךְtâvek · midstH8432
• the brethrenאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:2

• Proverbs 11:29Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
• Proverbs 14:35A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.
• Genesis 24:4but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac."
• Ecclesiastes 4:13Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.
• Proverbs 10:5He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
• Proverbs 19:26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.
• Proverbs 29:15The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:2

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2The “servant,” it must be remembered, was a slave, but (as in such cases as Genesis 15:2; 2 Samuel 16:4) might succeed to the inheritance.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2Verse 2 The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Wisdom is more important than privilege. If children act foolishly, a wise servant will become the leader of the household.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. (Compare Pr 14:35). causeth shame--(Pr 10:5). shall ... inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare Nu 27:4, 7).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:2

• Children
• Inheritance
• Prudence
• Servant
• Wisdom
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• 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