Proverbs 17 · Verse 18

Proverbs 17:18

A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

Proverbs 17:18, King James Version

Proverbs 17:18 in other translations

BSB	A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
WEB	A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
ASV	A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
YLT	A man lacking heart is striking hands, A surety he becometh before his friend.
DARBY	A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.
BBE	A man without sense gives his hand in an agreement, and makes himself responsible before his neighbour.
Webster	A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

What does Proverbs 17:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

18. (Compare Pr 6:1-5; 11:15). in the presence, &c.--that is, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 18 Striketh hands - Striking each other's hands, or shaking hands, was anciently the form in concluding a contract. See notes on Pro 6:1.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Let not any wrong their families. Yet Christ's becoming Surety for men, was a glorious display of Divine wisdom; for he was able to discharge the bond.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 17:18 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

אָדָ֣ם'a.Dama personH120

חֲסַר\־cha.sar-lacking ofH2638

לֵ֭בlevheartH3820

תּוֹקֵ֣עַto.Ke.a'[is] strikingH8628

כָּ֑ףKafa palmH3709

עֹרֵ֥ב'o.Rev[is] pledgingH6148

עֲ֝רֻבָּ֗ה'a.ru.Baha pledgeH6161

לִפְנֵ֥יlif.Nei<to> beforeH6440

רֵעֵֽהוּ\׃re.'E.huneighbor hisH7453

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 17:18

Proverbs 11:15
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
Proverbs 6:1-5
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. …
Proverbs 22:26-27
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
Proverbs 20:16
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Proverbs 22:16
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

void.
6:1-5; 11:15; 20:16; 22:16,27
understanding. Heb. heart.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:18
A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
Proverbs 17:19
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Read all of Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:18 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	El hombre falto de entendimiento toca la mano, fiando á otro delante de su amigo.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	L’homme dépourvu de sens frappe dans la main, s’engageant comme caution vis-à-vis de son prochain.
German Elberfelder 1871	Ein unverständiger Mensch ist, wer in die Hand einschlägt, wer Bürgschaft leistet gegenüber seinem Nächsten.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Stultus homo plaudet manibus, cum spoponderit pro amico suo.