English Standard Version
Proverbs 17:26
26To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.
Proverbs 17:26 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
- New International Version (NIV)If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness.
- New Living Translation (NLT)It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest.
Context of Proverbs 17:26
24The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. 27Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 28Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:26 word by word
גַּ֤ם עֲנ֣וֹשׁ לַצַּדִּ֣יק לֹא־ט֑וֹב לְהַכּ֖וֹת נְדִיבִ֣ים עַל־יֹֽשֶׁר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:26
- Proverbs 17:15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
- Proverbs 18:5It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
- Genesis 18:25Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?"
- 2 Samuel 3:23When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace."
- 2 Samuel 16:7And Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man!
- 2 Samuel 19:7Now therefore arise, go out and speak kindly to your servants, for I swear by the Lord, if you do not go, not a man will stay with you this night, and this will be worse for you than all the evil that has come upon you from your youth until now."
- Job 34:18who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' and to nobles, 'Wicked man,'
- Micah 5:1Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.
- John 18:22When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?"
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26Nor to strike princes for equity - To fall out with the ruler of the people, and to take off his head under pretense of his not being a just or equitable governor, is unjust. To kill a king on the ground of justice is a most dreadful omen to any land. Where was it ever done, that it promoted the public prosperity? No experiment of this kind has ever yet succeeded, howsoever worthless the king might be.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26Nor to strike - Better, and to strike the noble (in character rather than in rank) is against right. Compare John 18:28.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26Verse 26 It is very wrong to find fault for doing what is duty.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. Also--that is, Equally to be avoided are other sins: punishing good subjects, or resisting good rulers.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:26
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries