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.
• New International Version (NIV)Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Context of Proverbs 17:9

7Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. 8A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. 10Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool. 11An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

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 strife, But love covers all sins.
• Psalms 32:1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
• 1 Peter 4:8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
• Proverbs 16:28A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of 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