Proverbs 17:9

Proverbs 17:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Context of Proverbs 17:9

7Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! 8A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. Whoever 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. 11Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.

Proverbs 17:9 word by word

מְֽכַסֶּה־פֶּ֭שַׁע מְבַקֵּ֣שׁ אַהֲבָ֑ה וְשֹׁנֶ֥ה בְ֝דָבָ֗ר מַפְרִ֥יד אַלּֽוּף׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He that coverethכָּסָהkâsâh · to coverH3680
• a transgressionפֶּ֫שַׁעpesha‛ · transgressionH6588
• seekethבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• loveאַהֲבָה'ahăbâh · loveH160
• but he that repeatethשָׁנָהshânâh · to repeatH8138
• a matterדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• separatethפָּרַדpârad · to separateH6504
• friendsאַלּוּף'alûph 'allûph · tameH441

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:9

• Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
• Psalms 32:1Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
• 1 Peter 4:8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
• Proverbs 16:28A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:9

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Seeketh love - i. e., Takes the course which leads to his gaining it. He that repeateth a matter - The warning is directed against that which leads a man to dwell with irritating iteration on a past offence instead of burying it in oblivion. Separateth very friends - Better, alienateth his chief friend. The tale-bearer works injury to himself.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9Verse 9 The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9To have a good relationship, forgive others instead of focusing on their mistakes.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. seeketh love--(Compare Margin). The contrast is between the peace-maker and tale-bearer.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:9

• Charitableness
• Friendship
• Love
• Slander
• Speaking
• Talebearer

In the dictionaries

• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Fool; Folly
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

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