Proverbs 17:18

Proverbs 17:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
• New International Version (NIV)One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor.
• English Standard Version (ESV)One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
• New Living Translation (NLT)It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for a friend.

Context of Proverbs 17:18

16Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it? 17A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. 19He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. 20He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

Proverbs 17:18 word by word

אָדָ֣ם חֲסַר־לֵ֭ב תּוֹקֵ֣עַ כָּ֑ף עֹרֵ֥ב עֲ֝רֻבָּ֗ה לִפְנֵ֥י רֵעֵֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• voidחָסֵרchâsêr · lackingH2638
• of understandingלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• strikethתָּקַעtâqa‛ · to blowH8628
• handsכַּףkaph · palmH3709
• becomethעָרַב‛ârab · to pledgeH6148
• suretyעֲרֻבָּה‛ărûbbâh · pledgeH6161
• in the presenceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
• of his friendרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:18

• Proverbs 6:1My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,
• Proverbs 11:15He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.
• Proverbs 20:16Take the garment of one who is surety for a stranger, And hold it as a pledge when it is for a seductress.
• Proverbs 22:16He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Striketh hands - Striking each other's hands, or shaking hands, was anciently the form in concluding a contract. See notes on Proverbs 6:1.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Compare the marginal reference. Since nothing is nobler than the self-sacrifice of the true friend Proverbs 17:17, so nothing is more contemptible than the weakness which allows itself to be sacrificed for the sake of worthless associates. In the presence of his friend - i. e., “On behalf of” or “to his friend for some third person.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18Verse 18 Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18This message is repeated in Proverbs 6:1–5; 11:15; 20:16; 22:26; 27:13.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 11:15). in the presence, &c.--that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:18

• Contracts
• Hand
• Prudence
• Surety (Guarantee)

In the dictionaries

• Debtor
• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Loan
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• Surety

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