Proverbs 18:19

Proverbs 18:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
• New International Version (NIV)A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Context of Proverbs 18:19

17The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. 18Flipping a coin can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents. An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. 20Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. 21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Proverbs 18:19 word by word

אָ֗ח נִפְשָׁ֥ע מִקִּרְיַת־עֹ֑ז וּ֝מִדְיָנִ֗ים כִּבְרִ֥יחַ אַרְמֽוֹן׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A brotherאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251
• offendedפָּשַׁעpâsha‛ · to transgressH6586
• than a strongעֹז‛ôz ‛ôz · strengthH5797
• cityקִרְיָהqiryâh · townH7151
• contentionsמָדוֹןmâdôn · strifeH4066
• contentionsמִדְיָןmidyân · contentionH4079
• like the barsבְּרִיחַberîyach · barH1280
• of a castleאַרְמוֹן'armôn · citadel: fortressH759

Cross-references for Proverbs 18:19

• Proverbs 6:19a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.
• Genesis 4:5but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
• Genesis 27:41From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing. And Esau began to scheme: “I will soon be mourning my father’s death. Then I will kill my brother, Jacob.”
• Genesis 32:6After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, “We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!”
• Genesis 37:3Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe.
• 2 Samuel 13:22And though Absalom never spoke to Amnon about this, he hated Amnon deeply because of what he had done to his sister.
• 1 Kings 2:23Then King Solomon made a vow before the Lord: “May God strike me and even kill me if Adonijah has not sealed his fate with this request.
• 1 Kings 12:16When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, “Down with the dynasty of David! We have no interest in the son of Jesse. Back to your homes, O Israel! Look out for your own house, O David!” So the people of Israel returned home.
• 2 Chronicles 13:17Abijah and his army inflicted heavy losses on them; 500,000 of Israel’s select troops were killed that day.
• Acts 15:39Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.
• Proverbs 16:32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Commentaries on Proverbs 18:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city - Almost all the versions agree in the following reading: "A brother assisted by a brother, is like a fortified city; and their decisions are like the bars of a city." Coverdale is both plain and terse: "The unitie of brethren is stronger then a castell, and they that holde together are like the barre of a palace." The fable of the dying father, his sons, and the bundle of faggots, illustrates this…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19The meaning of the first clause is obtained in the King James Version by the insertion of the words in italics, and it seems on the whole to be the best. The Septuagint and Vulgate give an entirely different rendering, based, apparently, upon a different text.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19Verse 19 Great care must be taken to prevent quarrels among relations and those under obligations to each other. Wisdom and grace make it easy to forgive; but corruption makes it difficult.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 18:19

• Castle
• Family
• Strife

In the dictionaries

• Brother
• Contention
• Innermost
• Offend
• Slothful
• Snare
• Stick
• Waster
• Bar (2)
• Offence; Offend

Commentaries on Proverbs 18

• 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