Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 27:17
17As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens the countenance of his 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
15Continual dripping on a day of steady rain and a contentious wife are alike— 16hiding her is like hiding the wind or grasping oil with the right hand. As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens the countenance of his friend. 18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, whoever takes care of his master will be honored. 19As water reflects the face, so a person’s heart reflects the 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 all the Israelites had to go down to the Philistines, each to sharpen his plowshare, his sickle, his axe or his hoe.
- Joshua 1:18Whoever rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, he will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
- Joshua 2:24“Surely Adonai has given all the land into our hands,” they said to Joshua. “Indeed, all the inhabitants of the land have melted in fear before us.”
- 1 Samuel 11:9So they said to the messengers who came, “Thus will you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have deliverance.” The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, and they were glad.
- 1 Samuel 23:16Then Saul’s son Jonathan arose and went to David at Choresh and strengthened him in God.
- 2 Samuel 10:11Then he said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you will help me, but if the children of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you.
- Job 4:3Behold, you have instructed many; you have strengthened weak hands.
- Isaiah 35:3Strengthen the limp hands, make firm the wobbly knees.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know we are destined for this.
- 2 Timothy 1:8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Good News according to the power of God.
- 2 Timothy 2:3Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Messiah Yeshua.
- Hebrews 10:24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good deeds.
- James 1:2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
- 1 Peter 4:12Loved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal taking place among you to test you—as though 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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