New International Version
Proverbs 18:16
16A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
Proverbs 18:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
Context of Proverbs 18:16
14The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? 15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. 17In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. 18Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:16 word by word
מַתָּ֣ן אָ֭דָם יַרְחִ֣יב ל֑וֹ וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְדֹלִ֣ים יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:16
- Proverbs 17:8A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
- Proverbs 19:6Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.
- Proverbs 21:14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
- Genesis 32:20And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’ ” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.”
- Genesis 33:10“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.
- 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 25:27And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my lord, be given to the men who follow you.
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A man's gift maketh room for him - It is, and ever has been, a base and degrading practice in Asiatic countries, to bring a gift or present to the great man into whose presence you come. Without this there is no audience, no favor, no justice. This arose from the circumstance that men must not approach the altar of God without an offering. Potentates, wishing to be considered as petty gods, demanded a similar homage: - Munera, crede mihi, capiunt…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16The “gift” (or, bribe), by a bold personification, appears as the powerful “friend at court,” who introduces another, and makes him welcome in high places.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 Blessed be the Lord, who makes us welcome to come to his throne, without money and without price. May his gifts make room for him in our souls.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16See “Bribes” Theme Note.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:16
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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