God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 18:16
16A gift opens doors for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people.
Proverbs 18:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
- New International Version (NIV)A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
Context of Proverbs 18:16
14A person’s spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit? 15The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge. The ears of wise people seek knowledge. A gift opens doors for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people. 17The first to state his case seems right ⌞until⌟ his neighbor comes to cross-examine him. 18Flipping a coin ends quarrels and settles ⌞issues⌟ between powerful people.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:16 word by word
מַתָּ֣ן אָ֭דָם יַרְחִ֣יב ל֑וֹ וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְדֹלִ֣ים יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:16
- Proverbs 17:8A bribe seems ⌞like⌟ a jewel to the one who gives it. Wherever he turns, he prospers.
- Proverbs 19:6Many try to win the kindness of a generous person, and everyone is a friend to a person who gives gifts.
- Proverbs 21:14A gift ⌞given⌟ in secret calms anger, and a secret bribe calms great fury.
- Genesis 32:20And be sure to add, ‘Jacob is right behind us, sir.’ ” He thought, “I’ll make peace with him by giving him this gift that I’m sending ahead of me. After that I will see him, and he’ll welcome me back.”
- Genesis 33:10Jacob said, “No, please take the gift I’m giving you, because I’ve seen your face as if I were seeing the face of God, and yet you welcomed me so warmly.
- Genesis 43:11Then their father Israel said to them, “If that’s the way it has to be, then take the man a gift. Put some of the best products of the land in your bags. Take a little balm, a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds.
- 1 Samuel 25:27Here is a gift I am bringing to you. May it be given to the young men who are in your service.
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A man's gift maketh room for him - It is, and ever has been, a base and degrading practice in Asiatic countries, to bring a gift or present to the great man into whose presence you come. Without this there is no audience, no favor, no justice. This arose from the circumstance that men must not approach the altar of God without an offering. Potentates, wishing to be considered as petty gods, demanded a similar homage: - Munera, crede mihi, capiunt…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16The “gift” (or, bribe), by a bold personification, appears as the powerful “friend at court,” who introduces another, and makes him welcome in high places.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 Blessed be the Lord, who makes us welcome to come to his throne, without money and without price. May his gifts make room for him in our souls.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16See “Bribes” Theme Note.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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