Proverbs 25:17
Proverbs 25:17 in Multiple Translations
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor’s house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
Let not your foot be frequently in your neighbour's house, or he may get tired of you, and his feeling be turned to hate.
Don't set foot in your neighbors' homes too often, otherwise they'll get fed up with you and hate you.
Withdrawe thy foote from thy neighbours house, least he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house, Lest he be satiated [with] thee, and have hated thee.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
Do not go to your neighbor’s house very often to talk with him; if you go very often, he will get tired of listening to you and start to hate you.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 25:17
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 25:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֹקַ֣ר
רַ֭גְלְ/ךָ
מִ/בֵּ֣ית
רֵעֶ֑/ךָ
פֶּן
יִ֝שְׂבָּעֲ/ךָ֗
וּ/שְׂנֵאֶֽ/ךָ
הֹקַ֣ר
yâqar
H3365
be precious
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
רַ֭גְלְ/ךָ
regel
H7272
foot
N-fs | Suff
מִ/בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
place
Prep | N-ms
רֵעֶ֑/ךָ
rêaʻ
H7453
neighbor
N-ms | Suff
פֶּן
pên
H6435
lest
Conj
יִ֝שְׂבָּעֲ/ךָ֗
sâbaʻ
H7646
to satisfy
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
וּ/שְׂנֵאֶֽ/ךָ
sânêʼ
H8130
to hate
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 25:17
הֹקַ֣ר
yâqar
H3365
"be precious"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be precious or valuable, and can also mean to make something rare. It is used to describe something highly valued or esteemed, like a precious stone.
Definition: 1) to esteem, be prized, be valuable, be precious, be costly, be appraised 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be precious, be highly valued, be esteemed, be costly 1a2) to be appraised 1b) (Hiphil) to make something precious
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: be (make) precious, be prized, be set by, withdraw. See also: 1 Samuel 18:30; Psalms 72:14; Psalms 49:9.
רַ֭גְלְ/ךָ
regel
H7272
"foot"
N-fs | Suff
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
מִ/בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
רֵעֶ֑/ךָ
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.
פֶּן
pên
H6435
"lest"
Conj
This word is used to express caution or warning, similar to saying 'lest' or 'beware that'. It is often used in the Bible to advise against certain actions or to warn of potential consequences.
Definition: conj 1) lest, not, beware lest adv 2) lest
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: (lest) (peradventure), that...not. See also: Genesis 3:3; Judges 14:15; Psalms 2:12.
יִ֝שְׂבָּעֲ/ךָ֗
sâbaʻ
H7646
"to satisfy"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Definition: 1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be sated (with food) 1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied) 1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with 1a3a) to be weary of (fig) 1b) (Piel) to satisfy 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to satisfy 1c2) to enrich 1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. See also: Exodus 16:8; Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 17:14.
וּ/שְׂנֵאֶֽ/ךָ
sânêʼ
H8130
"to hate"
Conj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff
To hate means to feel intense dislike or hostility, as seen in the actions of enemies or foes in the Bible. It can also describe God's hatred of sin.
Definition: 1) to hate, be hateful 1a) (Qal) to hate 1a1) of man 1a2) of God 1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst) 1b) (Niphal) to be hated 1c) (Piel) hater (participle) 1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 24:60; Psalms 50:17; Psalms 5:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 25:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 25:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 25:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 25:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 25:17
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 25:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
- Sermons on Proverbs 25:17
Context — More Proverbs of Solomon
15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
18Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. 19Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 19:2–3 | and said, “My lords, please turn aside into the house of your servant; wash your feet and spend the night. Then you can rise early and go on your way.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. |
| 2 | Judges 19:18–21 | The Levite replied, “We are traveling from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote hill country of Ephraim, where I am from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and now I am going to the house of the LORD; but no one has taken me into his home, even though there is both straw and feed for our donkeys, and bread and wine for me and the maidservant and young man with me. There is nothing that we, your servants, lack.” “Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.” So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank. |
| 3 | Romans 15:24 | I hope to see you on my way to Spain. And after I have enjoyed your company for a while, you can equip me for my journey. |
Proverbs 25:17 Summary
This verse reminds us to be mindful of how often we visit our neighbors, so we don't become a burden or annoyance to them. It's essential to respect their time and space, just as we would want others to respect ours. By being considerate and thoughtful, we can build stronger, healthier relationships with those around us, as encouraged in Proverbs 22:11 and Ephesians 4:32.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house'?
This means we should be mindful of how often we visit or drop by our neighbor's home, lest we overstay our welcome and become a burden, as warned in Proverbs 25:17, similar to the principle of not taking advantage of someone's hospitality, as seen in Proverbs 14:21.
Is it wrong to visit my neighbor frequently?
Not necessarily, but it's essential to be considerate of their time and space, as Proverbs 25:17 advises, and to respect their boundaries, just as we would want others to respect ours, as taught in Matthew 7:12.
How can I know if I'm visiting my neighbor too often?
Pay attention to their body language and verbal cues, and be sensitive to their needs, as exhorted in Philippians 2:3-4, putting their interests ahead of your own desire for companionship or convenience.
What's the consequence of not heeding this warning?
If we fail to respect our neighbor's boundaries, they may grow weary and hate us, as stated in Proverbs 25:17, which can damage our relationship and even lead to conflict, as seen in Proverbs 10:12.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I show respect for my neighbor's time and space, as taught in Proverbs 25:17?
- How can I balance the desire to build relationships with my neighbors with the need to respect their boundaries?
- What are some signs that I may be overstepping or becoming a burden to those around me, and how can I adjust my behavior?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of consideration and respect for others, as seen in Proverbs 25:17, to other areas of my life, such as my relationships with family or coworkers?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 25:17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house,.... Not but that it is commendable to be neighbourly and friendly, or for one neighbour to visit another; but then it should not be very frequent; a man
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 25:17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Withdraw (Hebrew, Make rare) thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’ s house, visit him not too frequently nor unseasonably, lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee, as men are apt to loathe those meats of which they surfeit, as was now observed, .
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
Proverbs 25:17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’ s house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee. Ver. 17. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’ s house.] This is a honey that thou mayest surfeit on, therefore make thy foot precious, or rare (so the original hath it) at thy neighbour’ s house, by too oft frequenting whereof thou mayest become cheap, nay, burdensome. At first thou mayest be Oreach, as the Hebrew proverb hath it, i.e., welcome as a traveller that stays for a day. At length thou wilt be Toveach, a charge, a burden. And lastly, by long tarrying, thou shalt be Boreach, an outcast, hunted out of the house that thou hast so immodestly haunted. It is a very great fault among many, saith one, that when they have found a kind and sweet friend, they care not how they encumber him or abuse his courtesy. But, as we say in our common proverb, it is not good to take too much of a frank horse. Hebraei ponunt rarum pro caro, ut 1 Samuel 3:1.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
Verse 17. Withdraw thy foot] Another proverb will illustrate this: "Too much familiarity breeds contempt."
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 25:17
17. Withdraw thy foot] So Vulg., subtrahe pedem tuum. Lit. make rare thy foot. The R.V. adopts the marginal reading of A.V., Let thy foot be seldom in. σπάνιονεἴσαγεσὸνπόδαπρὸςσεαυτοῦφίλον, LXX.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 25:17
Let thy foot be seldom in the house of thy friend, etc. Though thy visits were sweet as honey, he may soon learn to loathe them.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 25:17
17. Withdraw thy foot — Rather, withhold: literally, make it rare or precious: let your visits be so rare that they will be valued. “There may be some connexion intended between this and the preceding.
Sermons on Proverbs 25:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Long Sermons--Loud Sermons--Itinerating by John Newton | John Newton expresses concern to the preacher about the length and intensity of his sermons, cautioning against excessive exertion that may harm his health and effectiveness. He ad |
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Day 136, Acts 28 by David Servant | David Servant reflects on the humility of Luke, who authored the book of Acts but never mentioned himself, emphasizing the importance of humility in serving God. Through the Malta |