New English Translation
Proverbs 18:17
17The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
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 discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge. 16A person’s gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people. The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him. 18A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents. 19A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:17 word by word
צַדִּ֣יק הָרִאשׁ֣וֹן בְּרִיב֑וֹ וּבָֽא רֵ֝עֵ֗הוּ וַחֲקָרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:17
- Proverbs 18:13The one who gives an answer before he listens – that is his folly and his shame.
- 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.
- 2 Samuel 19:24Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down to meet the king. From the day the king had left until the day he safely returned, Mephibosheth had not cared for his feet nor trimmed his mustache nor washed his clothes.
- Acts 24:5For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots 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
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
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