Proverbs 17:1
Translation: “Better a dry morsel with peace in it than a house full of sacrificial feasts with strife.”
Commentary: This proverb pits simplicity against abundance, favoring a modest life of tranquility over lavishness marred by conflict. The “dry morsel” suggests meager fare, yet its peace (שַׁלְוָה) is a treasure surpassing the noisy bounty of a strife-filled (רִיב) house. Wisdom here redefines blessing—not in wealth, but in harmony.
Proverbs 17:2
Translation: “A wise servant will rule over a shameful son and share the inheritance among brothers.”
Commentary: Wisdom trumps birthright. A servant (עֶבֶד) who acts prudently (מַשְׂכִּיל) gains authority over a son who brings disgrace (מֵבִישׁ), even splitting the family estate (נַחֲלָה). This upends social norms, showing that character, not status, determines true worth and influence.
Proverbs 17:3
Translation: “A crucible for silver, a furnace for gold, but the Lord tests hearts.”
Commentary: Just as fire refines metals (כּוּר for silver, עֲלִיל for gold), God examines the inner self (לִבּוֹת). External trials reveal purity or impurity, suggesting that divine scrutiny, unlike human judgment, pierces to the core of a person’s motives and integrity.
Proverbs 17:4
Translation: “An evildoer listens to lips of wickedness; a liar gives ear to a tongue of destruction.”
Commentary: Character shapes what one hears. The wicked (מֵרַע) heed evil speech (אָוֶן), and the deceitful (שֶׁקֶר) attend to ruinous words (הַוּוֹת). This parallelism warns that moral alignment tunes the ear—choosing wisdom or folly starts with what we entertain.
Proverbs 17:5
Translation: “He who mocks the poor reviles his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.”
Commentary: Deriding the destitute (רוֹשׁ) insults God (עֹשֵׂהוּ), their Creator, while glee at others’ misfortune (אֵיד) invites retribution. Human dignity reflects divine design; to scorn it or exploit suffering defies justice and invites consequences.
Proverbs 17:6
Translation: “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”
Commentary: Family ties weave a cycle of honor. Elders find pride (עֲטֶרֶת) in descendants, while children boast (תִּפְאֶרֶת) in their parents. This mutual esteem underscores legacy and relationship as life’s true treasures, not mere wealth.
Proverbs 17:7
Translation: “Fine speech does not suit a fool; how much less lying lips a noble one!”
Commentary: Words reflect worth. Elegant talk (שְׂפַת־יֶתֶר) is absurd in a fool (נָבָל), and deceit (שֶׁקֶר) is even more alien to a noble person (נָדִיב). Integrity in speech aligns with character; pretense in either direction rings hollow.
Proverbs 17:8
Translation: “A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of its giver; wherever he turns, it prospers him.”
Commentary: Corruption’s allure shines here. The bribe (שֹׁחַד) dazzles its user as a gem (חֵן), promising success (יַשְׂכִּיל). This cynical observation warns of self-delusion—short-term gain blinds one to long-term ruin.
Proverbs 17:9
Translation: “He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
Commentary: Discretion fosters bonds, while gossip destroys them. Covering (מְכַסֶּה) sin aims for affection (אַהֲבָה); rehashing (שֹׁנֶה) faults splits allies (אַלּוּף). Wisdom chooses reconciliation over division.
Proverbs 17:10
Translation: “A rebuke sinks deeper into a discerning man than a hundred blows into a fool.”
Commentary: Receptivity marks wisdom. A single correction (גְּעָרָה) penetrates the insightful (מֵבִין), while a fool (כְּסִיל) resists even relentless strikes (מֵאָה). True learning bends the heart, not just the body.
Proverbs 17:11
Translation: “An evil man seeks only rebellion, so a cruel messenger will be sent against him.”
Commentary: Defiance breeds its own punishment. The wicked (מְרִי) chase revolt, summoning a harsh envoy (מַלְאָךְ אַכְזָרִי)—perhaps divine justice or consequence. Rebellion’s path is self-destructive.
Proverbs 17:12
Translation: “Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.”
Commentary: Folly’s danger outstrips nature’s wrath. A bereaved bear (דֹּב שַׁכּוּל) is fierce, yet a fool (כְּסִיל) in his madness (אִוַּלְתּוֹ) is more perilous—unpredictable and unteachable, he wreaks havoc.
Proverbs 17:13
Translation: “He who returns evil for good—evil will not depart from his house.”
Commentary: Ingratitude curses itself. Repaying kindness (טוֹב) with harm (רָע) locks one’s home in perpetual trouble (רָעָה). This karmic principle warns that betrayal sows its own harvest.
Proverbs 17:14
Translation: “The start of strife is like letting out water; abandon the quarrel before it breaks forth.”
Commentary: Conflict escalates fast. Releasing water (מַיִם) mimics the trickle of strife (מָדוֹן)—small at first, then uncontrollable. Wisdom (עֲזֹב) stops it early, before the dam bursts.
Proverbs 17:15
Translation: “He who justifies the wicked and condemns the righteous—both are an abomination to the Lord.”
Commentary: Perverting justice offends God. Excusing evil (רָשָׁע) or punishing good (צַדִּיק) twists moral order, earning divine disgust (תּוֹעֲבַת יְהוָה). Fairness reflects the divine will.
Proverbs 17:16
Translation: “Why is there money in a fool’s hand to buy wisdom when he has no heart for it?”
Commentary: Wealth can’t purchase insight. A fool (כְּסִיל) with cash (מְחִיר) seeks wisdom (חָכְמָה), but lacking understanding (לֵב), he wastes it. Desire, not means, unlocks learning.
Proverbs 17:17
Translation: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Commentary: Loyalty shines in crisis. A friend (רֵעַ) offers constant love (אֹהֵב), while a sibling (אָח) steps up in trouble (צָרָה). True bonds endure and strengthen under pressure.
Proverbs 17:18
Translation: “A man without sense strikes hands, becoming a guarantor before his neighbor.”
Commentary: Rash promises bind the foolish. Lacking judgment (חֲסַר־לֵב), he pledges (תּוֹקֵעַ כָּף) as surety, risking ruin for another (רֵעֵהוּ). Wisdom weighs commitments.
Proverbs 17:19
Translation: “He who loves transgression loves strife; he who raises his gate seeks destruction.”
Commentary: Sin and pride court ruin. Craving wrong (פֶּשַׁע) stirs conflict (מַצָּה), and exalting oneself (מַגְבִּיהַּ פִּתְחוֹ)—like a lofty gate—invites downfall (שֶׁבֶר). Humility avoids both.
Proverbs 17:20
Translation: “A crooked heart finds no good; a tongue turned aside falls into evil.”
Commentary: Inner corruption reaps misery. A perverse heart (עִקֵּשׁ־לֵב) misses blessing (טוֹב), and a twisted tongue (נֶהְפָּךְ) stumbles into harm (רָעָה). Straight paths yield better ends.
Proverbs 17:21
Translation: “He who begets a fool has sorrow; the father of a dullard has no joy.”
Commentary: Folly burdens kin. A parent of a fool (כְּסִיל) bears grief (תּוּגָה), and a senseless child (נָבָל) drains delight (שִׂמְחָה). Wisdom in offspring blesses the family.
Proverbs 17:22
Translation: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up bones.”
Commentary: Mood shapes health. Cheer (לֵב שָׂמֵחַ) heals like a cure (גֵּהָה), while despair (רוּחַ נְכֵאָה) saps vitality (עֲצָמוֹת). Inner life drives outward well-being.
Proverbs 17:23
Translation: “A wicked man takes a bribe from the bosom to pervert the paths of justice.”
Commentary: Corruption subverts right. The evil (רָשָׁע) hide bribes (שֹׁחַד) close (מֵחֵיק), twisting justice (מִשְׁפָּט). Secrecy fuels inequity, defying the moral order.
Proverbs 17:24
Translation: “Wisdom is before the discerning man, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.”
Commentary: Focus defines insight. The prudent (מֵבִין) keep wisdom (חָכְמָה) near, while a fool (כְּסִיל) chases distant distractions (קְצֵה־אָרֶץ). Discipline sharpens understanding.
Proverbs 17:25
Translation: “A foolish son is a vexation to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.”
Commentary: Folly pains parents. A senseless child (כְּסִיל) brings irritation (כַּעַס) and sorrow (מַמְּרִים) to those who raised him. Wisdom honors, but folly wounds.
Proverbs 17:26
Translation: “To fine the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for uprightness.”
Commentary: Punishing virtue is perverse. Penalizing the just (צַדִּיק) or beating the honorable (נְדִיבִים) for integrity (יֹשֶׁר) defies reason and fairness. Justice protects the good.
Proverbs 17:27
Translation: “He who restrains his words knows knowledge, and a cool spirit marks a man of understanding.”
Commentary: Restraint reveals wisdom. Sparing speech (חוֹשֵׂךְ אֲמָרָיו) shows insight (דַּעַת), and calm (קַר־רוּחַ) signals discernment (תְּבוּנָה). Control breeds clarity.
Proverbs 17:28
Translation: “Even a fool, when silent, is deemed wise; he who shuts his lips seems discerning.”
Commentary: Silence masks folly. A quiet fool (אֱוִיל) gains a wise reputation (חָכָם), and closed lips (סֹגֵר) suggest understanding (נָבוֹן). Words betray, but stillness conceals.
This completes the commentary on Proverbs 17. Each verse reflects the Hebrew’s nuance, paired with reflections on its practical and moral implications. Let me know if you’d like deeper analysis on any verse!