Proverbs 18:17
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Proverbs 18:17 in other translations
| BSB | The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. |
|---|---|
| WEB | He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him. |
| ASV | He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out. |
| YLT | Righteous is the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him. |
| DARBY | He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. |
| BBE | The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light. |
| Webster | He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him. |
What does Proverbs 18:17 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 He that is first in his own cause - Any man may, in the first instance, make out a fair tale, because he has the choice of circumstances and arguments. But when the neighbor cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and brings out truth and fact.
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
It is well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgment of ourselves.
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Proverbs 18:17 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.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Proverbs 18:17
- Proverbs 18:13
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Proverbs 18:16
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
- Proverbs 18:17
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
- Proverbs 18:18
The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Proverbs 18:17 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | El primero en su propia causa parece justo; y su adversario viene, y le sondea. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Celui qui est le premier dans son procès est juste; son prochain vient, et l’examine. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Der erste in seiner Streitsache hat recht; doch sein Nächster kommt und forscht ihn aus. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Justus prior est accusator sui: venit amicus ejus, et investigabit eum. |