New Living Translation
Proverbs 27:17
17As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
- New International Version (NIV)As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
- New King James Version (NKJV)As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Context of Proverbs 27:17
15A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day. 16Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind or trying to hold something with greased hands. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. 18As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded. 19As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.
Read all of Proverbs 27Proverbs 27:17 word by word
בַּרְזֶ֣ל בְּבַרְזֶ֣ל יָ֑חַד וְ֝אִ֗ישׁ יַ֣חַד פְּנֵֽי־רֵעֵֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 27:17
- 1 Samuel 13:20So whenever the Israelites needed to sharpen their plowshares, picks, axes, or sickles, they had to take them to a Philistine blacksmith.
- Joshua 1:18Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!”
- Joshua 2:24“The Lord has given us the whole land,” they said, “for all the people in the land are terrified of us.”
- 1 Samuel 11:9So Saul sent the messengers back to Jabesh-gilead to say, “We will rescue you by noontime tomorrow!” There was great joy throughout the town when that message arrived!
- 1 Samuel 23:16Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.
- 2 Samuel 10:11“If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me,” Joab told his brother. “And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come and help you.
- Job 4:3“In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak.
- Isaiah 35:3With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles.
- 2 Timothy 1:8So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.
- 2 Timothy 2:3Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- Hebrews 10:24Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
- James 1:2Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
- 1 Peter 4:12Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
Commentaries on Proverbs 27:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Iron sharpeneth iron - As hard iron, viz., steel, will bring a knife to a better edge when it is properly whetted against it: so one friend may be the means of exciting another to reflect, dive deeply into, and illustrate a subject, without which whetting or excitement, this had never taken place. Had Horace seen this proverb in the Septuagint translation when he wrote to the Pisos? Ergo fungar vice cotis, acutum Reddere quae ferrum valet, exors ipsa…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17The proverb expresses the gain of mutual counsel as found in clear, well-defined thoughts. Two minds, thus acting on each other, become more acute. This is better than to see in “sharpening” the idea of provoking, and the point of the maxim in the fact that the quarrels of those who have been friends are bitter in proportion to their previous intimacy.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17iron sharpens iron: Wisdom comes from interacting, often critically, with a good friend (see Proverbs 27:6, 9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. a man sharpeneth ... friend--that is, conversation promotes intelligence, which the face exhibits.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 27:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 27
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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