Proverbs 18:19

19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

Proverbs 18:19 in Other Translations

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

19 Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond.

19 An offended brother is [harder to reach] than a fortified city, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

Proverbs 18:19 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city,
&c.] A fortified city may sooner be taken by an enemy, than one brother offended can be reconciled to another; their resentments against each other are keener than against another person that has offended them; and their love being turned into hatred, it is more bitter; and it is more difficult to compose differences between brethren than between enemies; wherefore such should take care that they fall not out by the way: this is true of brethren in a natural sense; as the cases of Abel and Cain, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brethren, Amnon and Absalom, and others, show; and of brethren in a spiritual sense, as Paul and Barnabas, Luther and Calvin, and others; and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle:
which cannot be easily broken or cut asunder: so contentions, especially those among brethren, are with great difficulty made to cease, and their differences composed; they will stand it out against one another as long as a strong city, or a barred castle, against an enemy.

Proverbs 18:19 In-Context

17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Cross References

• 1. S 1 Samuel 17:28