Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 18:16
16A man’s gift makes room for him, and leads him before great men.
Proverbs 18:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
- New International Version (NIV)A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
Context of Proverbs 18:16
14One’s spirit sustains him through illness, but who can bear a crushed spirit? 15A discerning heart gains knowledge, the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man’s gift makes room for him, and leads him before great men. 17The first to state his case seems just, until another comes and cross-examines him. 18Casting lots ends quarrels and decides between mighty opponents.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:16 word by word
מַתָּ֣ן אָ֭דָם יַרְחִ֣יב ל֑וֹ וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְדֹלִ֣ים יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:16
- Proverbs 17:8A bribe is a charm in the eyes of its owner. Wherever he turns, he succeeds.
- Proverbs 19:6Many seek the favor of the generous. Everyone is a friend to a giver of gifts.
- Proverbs 21:14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a bribe given secretly, fierce rage.
- Genesis 32:20And he also commanded the second one, the third one, and all those who were going behind the flocks, saying, “Say the same exact thing to Esau when you find him.
- Genesis 33:10Yet Jacob said, “No, please! If I have found favor in your eyes, then you will take my offering from my hand. For this is the reason I’ve seen your face—it is like seeing the face of God—and you’ve accepted me!
- Genesis 43:11Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and bring an offering down to the man—a little balsam and a little honey, gum and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
- 1 Samuel 25:27Now let this blessing, which your maidservant has brought to my lord, be given to the young men who are accompanying my lord.
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A man's gift maketh room for him - It is, and ever has been, a base and degrading practice in Asiatic countries, to bring a gift or present to the great man into whose presence you come. Without this there is no audience, no favor, no justice. This arose from the circumstance that men must not approach the altar of God without an offering. Potentates, wishing to be considered as petty gods, demanded a similar homage: - Munera, crede mihi, capiunt…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16The “gift” (or, bribe), by a bold personification, appears as the powerful “friend at court,” who introduces another, and makes him welcome in high places.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 Blessed be the Lord, who makes us welcome to come to his throne, without money and without price. May his gifts make room for him in our souls.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16See “Bribes” Theme Note.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. (Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:16
In the dictionaries
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
Tree of Life Version — © 2015 The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
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