Proverbs 18:16

16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.

Proverbs 18:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:16

A man's gift maketh room for him
Or "enlarges him" ^F25; brings him out of prison, or, or out of straits and difficulties with which he, has, been pressed; or it makes way for him to a judge, and for a favourable hearing of his cause; or it enlarges his acquaintance, and gains him respect among men; and bringeth him before great men;
it opens a way for him into the presence and company of great men, being a fee to their servants; or with it he procures a place to wait on them. It is not necessary to understand it of a gift by way of bribe; but to introduce a person to another, and render him acceptable, and appease anger; as in the cases of Jacob and Abigail, ( Genesis 32:20 ) ( 43:11 ) ( 1 Samuel 25:27 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (byxry) .

Proverbs 18:16 In-Context

14 The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?

15 The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.

16 A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.

17 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.

18 The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.