Proverbs 17:2

Proverbs 17:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
• New International Version (NIV)A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers.

Context of Proverbs 17:2

1Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children. 3Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 4Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

Proverbs 17:2 word by word

עֶֽבֶד־מַשְׂכִּ֗יל יִ֭מְשֹׁל בְּבֵ֣ן מֵבִ֑ישׁ וּבְת֥וֹךְ אַ֝חִ֗ים יַחֲלֹ֥ק נַחֲלָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A wiseשָׂכַלώâkal · be prudentH7919
• servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• shall have ruleמָשַׁלmâshal · to ruleH4910
• over a sonבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
• that causeth shameבּוֹשׁbûsh · be ashamedH954
• and shall have partחָלַקchâlaq · to divideH2505
• of the inheritanceנַחֲלָהnachălâh · inheritanceH5159
• amongתָּ֫וֶךְtâvek · midstH8432
• the brethrenאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251

Cross-references for Proverbs 17:2

• Proverbs 11:29Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.
• Proverbs 14:35A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him.
• Genesis 24:4Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.”
• Ecclesiastes 4:13It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.
• Proverbs 10:5A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.
• Proverbs 19:26Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public disgrace.
• Proverbs 29:15To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Commentaries on Proverbs 17:2

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2The “servant,” it must be remembered, was a slave, but (as in such cases as Genesis 15:2; 2 Samuel 16:4) might succeed to the inheritance.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2Verse 2 The wise servant is more deserving, and more likely to appear one of the family, than a profligate son.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Wisdom is more important than privilege. If children act foolishly, a wise servant will become the leader of the household.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. (Compare Pr 14:35). causeth shame--(Pr 10:5). shall ... inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare Nu 27:4, 7).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 17:2

• Children
• Inheritance
• Prudence
• Servant
• Wisdom
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Fine
• Friend
• Glad
• Grief
• Price
• Rule
• Strike
• 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