New English Translation
Proverbs 26:17
17Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own.
Proverbs 26:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
- New International Version (NIV)Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
Context of Proverbs 26:17
15The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 16The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation than seven people who respond with good sense. Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own. 18Like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows, 19so is a person who deceives his neighbor, and says, “Was I not only joking?”
Read all of Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:17 word by word
מַחֲזִ֥יק בְּאָזְנֵי־כָ֑לֶב עֹבֵ֥ר מִ֝תְעַבֵּ֗ר עַל־רִ֥יב לֹּֽא־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 26:17
- Proverbs 17:11An evil person seeks only rebellion, and so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
- Proverbs 18:6The lips of a fool enter into strife, and his mouth invites a flogging.
- Proverbs 20:3It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.
- Luke 12:14But Jesus said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator between you two?”
- 2 Timothy 2:23But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting.
Commentaries on Proverbs 26:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17He that passeth by - This proverb stands true ninety-nine times out of a hundred, where people meddle with domestic broils, or differences between men and their wives.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 To make ourselves busy in other men's matters, is to thrust ourselves into temptation.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17Wise people stay out of other people's arguments (compare Proverbs 26:21).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. meddleth--as in Pr 20:19; 24:21; as either holding a dog by the ears or letting him go involves danger, so success in another man's strife or failure involves a useless risk of reputation, does no good, and may do us harm.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 26:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 26
- 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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Commentaries