New Living Translation
Proverbs 26:17
17Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.
Proverbs 26:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
- New International Version (NIV)Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
Context of Proverbs 26:17
15Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth. 16Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors. Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears. 18Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon 19is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”
Read all of Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:17 word by word
מַחֲזִ֥יק בְּאָזְנֵי־כָ֑לֶב עֹבֵ֥ר מִ֝תְעַבֵּ֗ר עַל־רִ֥יב לֹּֽא־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 26:17
- Proverbs 17:11Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.
- Proverbs 18:6Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
- Proverbs 20:3Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
- Luke 12:14Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?”
- 2 Timothy 2:23Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
Commentaries on Proverbs 26:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17He that passeth by - This proverb stands true ninety-nine times out of a hundred, where people meddle with domestic broils, or differences between men and their wives.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 To make ourselves busy in other men's matters, is to thrust ourselves into temptation.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17Wise people stay out of other people's arguments (compare Proverbs 26:21).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. meddleth--as in Pr 20:19; 24:21; as either holding a dog by the ears or letting him go involves danger, so success in another man's strife or failure involves a useless risk of reputation, does no good, and may do us harm.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 26:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 26
- 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
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