Proverbs 18:16

16 A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him 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 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F25 (byxry) .

Proverbs 18:16 In-Context

14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
17 The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.