Proverbs 17 Study Notes

17:14 To stop a dispute is to “leave it alone” or drop it (26:20). On conflict, see “trouble” in note at 6:14.

17:15 Corrupt judges in Israel were acquitting the guilty and denying the innocent their day in court (Is 5:23). On detestable, see note at 3:32.

17:16 On buying wisdom, see note at 4:5-8. There is no better use for money than buying wisdom, but the fool (Hb kesiyl) is ignorant of that fact or obstinately against it (with no intention is lit “but there is no heart”).

17:17 The purpose of a brother is to uphold a family member in a difficult time. The Hebrew word can be used generally of relatives (Gn 13:8; 29:15; Jdg 14:3). An unlikely but possible interpretation is that a friend is better because he loves at all times, not just in difficult times.

17:18 On enters an agreement and puts up security, see note at 6:1-2; on without sense, see note at 6:30-33.

17:19 It is necessary to step over the threshold to enter a house. A high threshold would be difficult to step over, possibly causing injury to guests. Or a high threshold could indicate someone who arrogantly built his house on a mound or hill above his neighbors. Such a proud person invites the Lord’s destruction on himself (16:5).

17:20 Twisted and deceitful are both literally “turned” around, like those who call evil good (28:6,18).

17:21 The first kind of fool (Hb kesiyl) is immoral, obstinate, and dangerous (see note at 1:22). The second kind (Hb nabal) is sacrilegious (see note at 17:7).

17:22 In 15:13 a joyful heart causes a good face; here it is a good cure. A sad heart produces a broken spirit (see note at 15:13). Dried-up bones represent people who have lost their vitality (Ezk 37:11). The opposite would be bones saturated with marrow or oil (Jb 21:24; Ps 109:18).

17:23 The word secretly is literally “from the bosom” (cp. “covert” in 21:14), which elsewhere means from inside the folds of one’s cloak (Ex 4:7) or from being wrapped in one’s arms (1Kg 17:19). On bribe, see note at 15:27.

17:24 Wisdom is literally “with the face of” the perceptive, that is, he is facing it. The ends of the earth is a place far from the chosen people of Israel, out where ungodly people are (Dt 13:7; 28:49). The “fool” (Hb kesiyl) looks for easy income, illegal profit, or ways to avoid hard work.

17:25 Bitterness is misery, not malice (Jr 6:26).

17:26 The innocent person is literally “righteous.” On noble, see note at 8:15-16; on honesty, see “upright” in note at 2:7.

17:27-28 Both Egyptian and Israelite wisdom viewed the ideal personality type as being cool or dispassionate. Jesus was the ultimate example of restraint (Is 53:7; Mk 14:61). There is an implied a fortiori argument here: if even a fool (Hb ’ewiyl) is considered wise when . . . silent, how much more will an intelligent person be respected for restraint. On discerning, see note at 1:5.