New International Version
Proverbs 27:17
17As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
- New King James Version (NKJV)As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
- New Living Translation (NLT)As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Context of Proverbs 27:17
15A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; 16restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. 18The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored. 19As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
Read all of Proverbs 27Proverbs 27:17 word by word
בַּרְזֶ֣ל בְּבַרְזֶ֣ל יָ֑חַד וְ֝אִ֗ישׁ יַ֣חַד פְּנֵֽי־רֵעֵֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 27:17
- 1 Samuel 13:20So all Israel went down to the Philistines to have their plow points, mattocks, axes and sickles sharpened.
- Joshua 1:18Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
- Joshua 2:24They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”
- 1 Samuel 11:9They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’ ” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated.
- 1 Samuel 23:16And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
- 2 Samuel 10:11Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you.
- Job 4:3Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.
- Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.
- 2 Timothy 1:8So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
- 2 Timothy 2:3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- Hebrews 10:24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
- James 1:2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
- 1 Peter 4:12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Commentaries on Proverbs 27:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Iron sharpeneth iron - As hard iron, viz., steel, will bring a knife to a better edge when it is properly whetted against it: so one friend may be the means of exciting another to reflect, dive deeply into, and illustrate a subject, without which whetting or excitement, this had never taken place. Had Horace seen this proverb in the Septuagint translation when he wrote to the Pisos? Ergo fungar vice cotis, acutum Reddere quae ferrum valet, exors ipsa…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17The proverb expresses the gain of mutual counsel as found in clear, well-defined thoughts. Two minds, thus acting on each other, become more acute. This is better than to see in “sharpening” the idea of provoking, and the point of the maxim in the fact that the quarrels of those who have been friends are bitter in proportion to their previous intimacy.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17iron sharpens iron: Wisdom comes from interacting, often critically, with a good friend (see Proverbs 27:6, 9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. a man sharpeneth ... friend--that is, conversation promotes intelligence, which the face exhibits.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 27:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 27
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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