New International Version
Proverbs 17:8
8A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!
Context of Proverbs 17:8
6Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. 7Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. 9Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. 10A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes 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 17:23The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.
- Psalms 18:16He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
- Psalms 19:6It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
- Psalms 27:13I remain confident of this: I will 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“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.
- Deuteronomy 16:19Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.
- Genesis 33:9But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”
- Genesis 43:11Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.
- 1 Samuel 25:35Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, “Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.”
- 2 Samuel 16:1When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.
- Micah 7:3Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire— they all conspire 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
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
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Commentaries