Proverbs 26:17

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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.

Context of Proverbs 26:17

15A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 16A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly. Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own. 18Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death 19is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

Proverbs 26:17 word by word

מַחֲזִ֥יק בְּאָזְנֵי־כָ֑לֶב עֹבֵ֥ר מִ֝תְעַבֵּ֗ר עַל־רִ֥יב לֹּֽא־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He that passeth byעָבַר‛âbar · to pass: bringH5674
• meddlethעָבַר‛âbar · be angryH5674
• with strifeרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379
• one that takethחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: holdH2388
• a dogכֶּ֫לֶבkeleb · dogH3611
• by the earsאֹ֫זֶן'ôzen · earH241

Cross-references for Proverbs 26:17

• Proverbs 17:11Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.
• Proverbs 18:6The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.
• Proverbs 20:3It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
• Luke 12:14Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”
• 2 Timothy 2:23Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

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

• Strife

In the dictionaries

• Causeless
• Conceit
• Kindle
• Render
• Seemly
• Sport
• Talebearer
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Vex, Vexation

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