Proverbs 18:17
Proverbs 18:17 in Multiple Translations
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
The first person to plead a case sounds right until someone comes to cross-examine them.
He that is first in his owne cause, is iust: then commeth his neighbour, and maketh inquirie of him.
Righteous [is] the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.
He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him.
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
The first person to present his case in court seems right, but when ◄someone else/his opponent► begins to ask him questions, it may become clear that what he said was not true.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 18:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 18:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
צַדִּ֣יק
הָ/רִאשׁ֣וֹן
בְּ/רִיב֑/וֹ
יבא
וּ/בָֽא
רֵ֝עֵ֗/הוּ
וַ/חֲקָרֽ/וֹ
צַדִּ֣יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Adj
הָ/רִאשׁ֣וֹן
riʼshôwn
H7223
first
Art | Adj
בְּ/רִיב֑/וֹ
rîyb
H7379
strife
Prep | N-cs | Suff
יבא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וּ/בָֽא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
רֵ֝עֵ֗/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
neighbor
N-ms | Suff
וַ/חֲקָרֽ/וֹ
châqar
H2713
to search
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 18:17
צַדִּ֣יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
הָ/רִאשׁ֣וֹן
riʼshôwn
H7223
"first"
Art | Adj
This word means 'first' or 'primary', referring to something that comes before others in time, place, or rank. It is used to describe the first or most important thing in a series or list.
Definition: : first adj 1) first, primary, former 1a) former (of time) 1a1) ancestors 1a2) former things 1b) foremost (of location) 1c) first (in time) 1d) first, chief (in degree) adv 2) first, before, formerly, at first
Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. See also: Genesis 8:13; 1 Chronicles 27:3; Psalms 79:8.
בְּ/רִיב֑/וֹ
rîyb
H7379
"strife"
Prep | N-cs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a dispute or quarrel between people, which can be a physical fight or a verbal argument. It is often used to describe a lawsuit or controversy, and appears in books like Deuteronomy and Job.
Definition: 1) strife, controversy, dispute 1a) strife, quarrel 1b) dispute, controversy, case at law
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading, strife, strive(-ing), suit. See also: Genesis 13:7; Proverbs 17:1; Psalms 18:44.
יבא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
וּ/בָֽא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
רֵ֝עֵ֗/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
"neighbor"
N-ms | Suff
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.
וַ/חֲקָרֽ/וֹ
châqar
H2713
"to search"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
This verb means to search or examine something closely, like trying to find out the truth. It is used in the Bible to describe seeking out knowledge or wisdom, and is often translated as search or seek out.
Definition: 1) to search, search for, search out, examine, investigate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to search (for) 1a2) to search through, explore 1a3) to examine thoroughly 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be searched out, be found out, be ascertained, be examined 1c) (Piel) to search out, seek out
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: find out, (make) search (out), seek (out), sound, try. See also: Deuteronomy 13:15; Psalms 44:22; Psalms 139:1.
Study Notes — Proverbs 18:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 18:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 18:17
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 18:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
- Sermons on Proverbs 18:17
Context — The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.
16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents. 19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 18:13 | He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him. |
| 2 | Acts 24:12–13 | Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 19:24–27 | Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely. And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?” “My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me, and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. Yet my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do what is good in your eyes. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 16:1–3 | When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. “Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.” “Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king. And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’” |
| 5 | Acts 24:5–6 | We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. |
Proverbs 18:17 Summary
This verse reminds us to be careful when listening to someone's story, because they might not be telling us the whole truth. It's like when you hear one side of an argument, but then you hear the other side and it changes everything. As the Bible says in Proverbs 18:17, the first person to speak seems right until someone else examines their claims. This is similar to what is said in Proverbs 24:23, which advises against being too quick to judge. We should always try to hear both sides of a story before making a decision, just like it says in Deuteronomy 19:15, which requires multiple witnesses to establish a fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'state his case' in Proverbs 18:17?
To state one's case means to present one's argument or side of a story, as seen in the context of a dispute or debate, similar to what is described in Proverbs 18:17, where the first person to speak seems right until another examines their claims.
Is this verse warning against jumping to conclusions?
Yes, Proverbs 18:17 is warning against making judgments based on only one side of the story, as also cautioned in Proverbs 24:23, which advises against being too quick to judge, and Deuteronomy 19:15, which requires multiple witnesses to establish a fact.
How does this verse relate to the importance of listening?
This verse highlights the importance of listening to both sides of a story, as emphasized in Proverbs 18:13, which warns against answering before listening, and James 1:19, which encourages being quick to listen and slow to speak.
What role does cross-examination play in this verse?
Cross-examination, or carefully questioning and examining the other side, is crucial in uncovering the truth, as seen in Proverbs 18:17, where it helps to reveal a more accurate understanding of the situation, much like the process described in 1 Corinthians 14:29, where prophetic words are judged and discerned.
Reflection Questions
- In what situations have you been too quick to form an opinion without hearing all the facts, and what did you learn from the experience?
- How can you apply the principle of cross-examination in your everyday conversations and decision-making processes?
- What are some common biases or assumptions that might lead you to jump to conclusions, and how can you guard against them?
- In what ways can you cultivate a spirit of humility and openness to hearing other perspectives, as encouraged in Proverbs 12:1 and Ephesians 4:29?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:17
He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just,.... As perhaps Tertullus did, before Paul made his defence; and as Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, before his master detected him: this often appears
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:17
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. (He that is) first in his own cause (seemeth) just. The judge is pre-engaged by the gifts or else the earnestness of the first speaker.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
He that is first in his own cause, he that first pleadeth his cause, seemeth just, both to himself and to the judge or court, by his fair pretences. His neighbour cometh, to contend with him in judgment and to plead his cause, and searcheth him; examineth the truth and weight of his allegations, and disproveth them, and detecteth his weakness. Or, discovers him; for seeking or searching are oft put for finding, as ,19, and elsewhere.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
Proverbs 18:17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.Ver. 17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just.] The first tale is good till the second be heard. How fair a tale told Tertullus for the Jews against Paul, till the apostle came after him, and unstarched the orator’ s trim speech? Judges had need to get and keep that ουςαδιαβληκτον that Alexander boasted of, to keep one ear clear and unprejudiced, for the defendant; for they shall meet with such active actors or pleaders, as can make Quid libet ex quo libet, candida de nigris et de candentibus atra, as can draw a fair glove upon a foul hand, blanch and smooth over the worst causes with goodly pretences, as Ziba did against Mephibosheth, Potiphar’ s wife against Joseph, &c. He must therefore αμφοινακροασθαι, as the Athenian judges were sworn to do, "hear both sides indifferently": and as that Levite said, Consider, consult, and then give sentence, doing nothing by partiality or prejudice.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
(17) He that is first in his own cause seemeth just.—A man who tells his own story can make a good case for himself out of it, “but his neighbour” (i.e., his adversary in the suit) “cometh and searcheth him,” sifts his statements, and shows them to be untenable.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
Verse 17. He that is first in his own cause] Any man may, in the first instance, make out a fair tale, because he has the choice of circumstances and arguments. But when the neighbour cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and brings out truth and fact.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 18:17
17. in his own cause] i.e. in pleading, or stating it. You must wait to hear the other side, the “neighbour’s searching out,” if you would come at the truth. Audi alteram partem is the gist of the proverb.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 18:17
A protest against another fault in judging. Haste is hardly less evil than corruption. “Audi alteram partern “should be the rule of every judge. His neighbor - The other party to the suit “searcheth,” i.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:17
17. First in his own cause — Or suit; he who gets the first hearing. Seemeth just — Hebrew, is just — makes himself to appear just or righteous.
Sermons on Proverbs 18:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Commit by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of committal and trusting in God's plan. He uses the example of Paul and the sailors in the book of Acts who were caught in a viol |
|
Evangelizing the Western Mindset - Part 1 by Winkie Pratney | This sermon delves into the world of apologetics, exploring the defense and evidences of the Christian faith. It emphasizes the need for a rational, historical, and objective faith |
|
The Fine Art of Getting Along by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of involving everyone in conversations and drawing them out from the sidelines. He uses the example of Jesus always having tim |
|
Sin in the Camp - Part 3 by Shane Idleman | This sermon delves into the topic of confronting sin within the church community, emphasizing the importance of addressing unrepentant hearts that embrace a consistent pattern of s |
|
Characteristics of Revivals by Richard M. Riss | Historian Richard Riss delves into the misrepresentations surrounding revivals, emphasizing how false reports and negative attitudes hinder people from experiencing the forgiveness |
|
Election by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of turning Scripture into practical discourse under the influence of God's Spirit. He encourages the audience to set aside th |
|
1992 Missions Conference Talk - Part 2 by Richard Wurmbrand | This sermon emphasizes the importance of giving and listening, drawing from the story of St. Louis and the significance of prayer amidst distractions. It highlights the value of li |