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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

Context of Proverbs 17:14

12Better to meet a bear robbed of its cubs than a fool ⌞carried away⌟ with his stupidity. 13Whoever pays back evil for good— evil will never leave his home. Starting a quarrel is ⌞like⌟ opening a floodgate, so stop before the argument gets out of control. 15Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people is disgusting to the Lord. 16Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything?

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 sin loves a quarrel. Whoever builds his city gate high invites destruction.
• Proverbs 26:21⌞As⌟ charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire, so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute.
• Proverbs 29:22An angry person stirs up a fight, and a hothead does much wrong.
• Judges 12:1The men of Ephraim were summoned to fight. They crossed ⌞the Jordan River⌟ to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why did you fight against Ammon without inviting us to go with you? Now we’re going to burn your house down with you in it.”
• 2 Samuel 2:14Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have the young men hold a contest.” Joab agreed.
• 2 Samuel 19:41Then all the people of Israel kept coming to the king. They asked, “Why did our cousins, the people of Judah, kidnap you and bring Your Majesty and your family and men across the Jordan River?”
• 2 Samuel 20:1A good-for-nothing man by the name of Sheba, Bichri’s son, from the tribe of Benjamin happened to be at Gilgal. He blew a ram’s horn ⌞to announce⌟, “We have no share in David’s kingdom. We won’t receive an inheritance from Jesse’s son. Everyone to his own tent, Israel!”
• 2 Chronicles 10:14He spoke to them as the young men advised. He said, “If my father made your burden heavy, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will use scorpions.”
• 2 Chronicles 13:17So Abijah and his men defeated them decisively, and 500,000 of the best men of Israel were killed.
• 2 Chronicles 25:17After getting advice ⌞from his advisers⌟, King Amaziah of Judah sent messengers to King Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz and grandson of Jehu of Israel, to declare war on Israel.
• 2 Chronicles 28:6In one day Pekah, son of Remaliah, killed 120,000 soldiers in Judah because they had abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors.
• Proverbs 13:10Arrogance produces only quarreling, but those who take advice gain wisdom.
• Proverbs 14:29A person of great understanding is patient, but a short temper is the height of stupidity.
• Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Proverbs 16:32Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city.
• Proverbs 19:11A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks 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