Proverbs 17:8

Proverbs 17:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
• New International Version (NIV)A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.

Context of Proverbs 17:8

6Grandchildren are the crown of old men, And the glory of sons is their fathers. 7Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince. A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends. 10A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred blows into a fool.

Proverbs 17:8 word by word

אֶֽבֶן־חֵ֣ן הַ֭שֹּׁחַד בְּעֵינֵ֣י בְעָלָ֑יו אֶֽל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֖ר יִפְנֶ֣ה יַשְׂכִּֽיל׃Read the interlinear

• bribeשֹׁ֫חַדshachad · bribeH7810
• charmאֶ֫בֶן'eben · stoneH68
• charmחֵןchên · favorH2580
• in the sightעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• of its ownerבַּעַלba‛al · master: owningH1167
• Whereverאֶל'êl 'el · to(wards)H413
• Whereverכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• Whereverאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
• he turnsפָּנָהpânâh · to turnH6437
• he prospersשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:8

• Proverbs 17:23A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom To pervert the ways of justice.
• Psalms 18:16He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.
• Psalms 19:6Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
• Psalms 27:13I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.
• Psalms 29:4The voice of the Lord is powerful, The voice of the Lord is majestic.
• Exodus 23:8“You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.
• Deuteronomy 16:19You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
• Genesis 33:9But Esau said, “I have plenty, my brother; let what you have be your own.”
• Genesis 43:11Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
• 1 Samuel 25:35So David received from her hand what she had brought him and said to her, “Go up to your house in peace. See, I have listened to you and granted your request.”
• 2 Samuel 16:1Now when David had passed a little beyond the summit, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine.
• Micah 7:3Concerning evil, both hands do it well. The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe, And a great man speaks the desire of his soul; So they weave it together.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8A gift is as a precious stone - It both enriches and ornaments. In the latter clause there is an evident allusion to cut stones. Whithersoever you turn them, they reflect the light, are brilliant and beautiful.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8A half-satirical description of the power of bribery in palaces and among judges. The precious stone (literally as in the margin) is probably a gem, thought of as a talisman, which, “wherever it turns,” will ensure “prosperity” to him who, being the possessor, has the power to give it.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8Verse 8 Those who set their hearts upon money, will do any thing for it. What influence should the gifts of God have on our hearts!Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. One so corrupt as to take a bribe evinces his high estimate of it by subjection to its influence (Pr 18:16; 19:6).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:8

• Bribery

In the dictionaries

• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Amulet
• Fool; Folly
• Gift

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