New English Translation
Proverbs 17:8
8A bribe works like a charm for the one who offers it; in whatever he does he succeeds.
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 like a crown to the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents. 7Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler! A bribe works like a charm for the one who offers it; in whatever he does he succeeds. 9The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends. 10A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:8 word by word
אֶֽבֶן־חֵ֣ן הַ֭שֹּׁחַד בְּעֵינֵ֣י בְעָלָ֑יו אֶֽל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֖ר יִפְנֶ֣ה יַשְׂכִּֽיל׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:8
- Proverbs 17:23A wicked person receives a bribe secretly to pervert the ways of justice.
- Psalms 18:16He reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me from the surging water.
- Psalms 19:6It emerges from the distant horizon, and goes from one end of the sky to the other; nothing can escape its heat.
- Psalms 27:13Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living?
- Psalms 29:4The Lord’s shout is powerful, the Lord’s shout is majestic.
- Exodus 23:8“You must not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and subverts the words of the righteous.
- Deuteronomy 16:19You must not pervert justice or show favor. Do not take a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and distort the words of the righteous.
- Genesis 33:9But Esau said, “I have plenty, my brother. Keep what belongs to you.”
- 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 take a gift down to the man – a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
- 1 Samuel 25:35Then David took from her hand what she had brought to him. He said to her, “Go back to your home in peace. Be assured that I have listened to you and responded favorably.”
- 2 Samuel 16:1When David had gone a short way beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a couple of donkeys that were saddled, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred raisin cakes, a hundred baskets of summer fruit, and a container of wine.
- Micah 7:3They are determined to be experts at doing evil; government officials and judges take bribes, prominent men make demands, and they all do what is necessary to satisfy them.
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
In the dictionaries
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries