Proverbs 17 · Verse 19

Proverbs 17:19

He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Proverbs 17:19, King James Version

Proverbs 17:19 in other translations

BSBHe who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.
WEBHe who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
ASVHe loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
YLTWhoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.
DARBYHe loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
BBEThe lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction.
WebsterHe loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

What does Proverbs 17:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. strife--contention is, and leads to, sin. he that exalteth his gate--gratifies a vain love of costly building. seeketh--or, "findeth," as if he sought (compare "loveth death," Pr 8:36).

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 He that exalteth his gate - In different parts of Palestine they are obliged to have the doors of their courts and houses very low, not more than three feet high, to prevent the Arabs, who scarcely ever leave the backs of their horses, from riding into the courts and houses, and spoiling their goods. He, then, who, through pride and ostentation, made a high gate, exposed himself to destruction; and is said here to seek it, because he must know that this would be a necessary consequence of exalting his gate. But although the above is a fact, yet possibly gate is here taken for the mouth; and the exalting of the gate may mean proud boasting and arrogant speaking, such as has a tendency to kindle and maintain strife. And this interpretation seems to agree better with the scope of the context than the above.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
If we would keep a clear conscience and a quiet mind, we must shun all excitements to anger. And a man who affects a style of living above his means, goes the way to ruin.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 17:19 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.

אֹ֣הֵֽב'O.hev[one who] lovesH157
פֶּ֭שַׁעPe.sha'transgressionH6588
אֹהֵ֣ב'o.Hev[is] lovingH157
מַצָּ֑הma.TzahcontentionH4683
מַגְבִּ֥יהַּmag.Bi.ah[one who] makes highH1361
פִּ֝תְח֗וֹpit.Choentrance hisH6607
מְבַקֶּשׁ\־me.va.kesh-[is] seekingH1245
שָֽׁבֶר\׃Sha.verruinH7667

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

Cross references for Proverbs 17:19

  • Proverbs 16:18

    Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

  • Proverbs 18:12

    Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

  • 1 Samuel 25:36-38

    And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died.

  • James 3:14-16

    But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

  • James 1:20

    For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

  • Proverbs 24:27

    Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

  • Proverbs 17:14

    The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

  • Proverbs 29:9

    If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

  • 1 Kings 1:5

    Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

  • Proverbs 29:22-23

    An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

  • 2 Samuel 15:1

    And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

  • Jeremiah 22:13-15

    Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work; That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion. Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
loveth.
14; 29:9,22; 2Co 12:20; Jas 1:20; 3:14-16
he that.
16:18; 18:12; 24:27; 1Sa 25:36-38; 2Sa 15:1; 1Ki 1:5; Jer 22:13-15
Da 4:20,21

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

Context

  • 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.

  • Proverbs 17:20

    He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

Read all of Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		La prevaricación ama el que ama pleito; y el que alza su portada, quebrantamiento busca.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Qui aime les contestations aime la transgression; qui hausse son portail cherche la ruine.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer Zank liebt, liebt Übertretung; wer seine Tür hoch macht, sucht Einsturz.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui meditatur discordias diligit rixas, et qui exaltat ostium quærit ruinam.