Proverbs 18:17

Proverbs 18:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
• New International Version (NIV)In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

Context of Proverbs 18:17

15The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16A person’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great people. The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. 18The cast lot puts an end to quarrels, And decides between the mighty ones. 19A brother who is offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And quarrels are like the bars of a citadel.

Proverbs 18:17 word by word

צַדִּ֣יק הָרִאשׁ֣וֹן בְּרִיב֑וֹ וּבָֽא רֵ֝עֵ֗הוּ וַחֲקָרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

• The firstרִאשׁוֹןri'shôn ri'shôn · firstH7223
• to pleadרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379
• rightצַדִּיקtsaddîyq · righteousH6662
• anotherרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
• comesבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• and examinesחָקַרchâqar · to searchH2713

Cross-references for Proverbs 18:17

• Proverbs 18:13One who gives an answer before he hears, It is foolishness and shame to him.
• 2 Samuel 16:1Now when David had gone on a little beyond the summit, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a team of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine.
• 2 Samuel 19:24Then Mephibosheth the grandson of Saul came down to meet the king; but he had neither tended to his feet, nor trimmed his mustache, nor washed his clothes since the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace.
• Acts 24:5For we have found this man a public menace and one who stirs up dissensions among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

Commentaries on Proverbs 18:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17He that is first in his own cause - Any man may, in the first instance, make out a fair tale, because he has the choice of circumstances and arguments. But when the neighbor cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and brings out truth and fact.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17A protest against another fault in judging. Haste is hardly less evil than corruption. “Audi alteram partern “should be the rule of every judge. His neighbor - The other party to the suit “searcheth,” i. e., scrutinizes and detects him.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 It is well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgment of ourselves.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17It is important to listen to both sides of a disagreement. Only foolish people make quick decisions. Wise people take time to understand.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. One-sided statements are not reliable. searcheth--thoroughly (Pr 17:9, 19).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 18:17

• Justice
• Selfishness
• Witness

In the dictionaries

• Brother
• Contention
• Innermost
• Offend
• Slothful
• Snare
• Stick
• Waster
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

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