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

12Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. 13He who returns evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out. 15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. 16Why is there a price in the hand of a fool 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

• The beginningרֵאשִׁיתrê'shîyth · first: beginningH7225
• of strifeמָדוֹןmâdôn · strifeH4066
• lettingפָּטַרpâţar · to separateH6362
• out waterמַיmayim · waterH4325
• abandonנָטַשׁnâţash · to leaveH5203
• the quarrelרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379
• beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• it breaksגָּלַעgâla‛ · to quarrelH1566

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:14

• Proverbs 17:19He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.
• Proverbs 26:21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
• Proverbs 29:22An angry man stirs up strife, And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
• Judges 12:1Then the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the sons of Ammon without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you.”
• 2 Samuel 2:14Then Abner said to Joab, “Now let the young men arise and hold a contest before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.”
• 2 Samuel 19:41And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, “Why had our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king and his household and all David’s men with him over the Jordan?”
• 2 Samuel 20:1Now a worthless fellow happened to be there whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet and said, “We have no portion in David, Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; Every man to his tents, O Israel!”
• 2 Chronicles 10:14He spoke to them according to the advice 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 defeated them with a great slaughter, so that 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.
• 2 Chronicles 25:17Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, the king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face each other.”
• 2 Chronicles 28:6For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah 120,000 in one day, all valiant men, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.
• Proverbs 13:10Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.
• Proverbs 14:29He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
• Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
• Proverbs 16:32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
• Proverbs 19:11A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

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