Proverbs 26 · Verse 17

Proverbs 26:17

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:17, King James Version

Proverbs 26:17 in other translations

BSBLike one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
WEBLike one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
ASVHe that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
YLTLaying hold on the ears of a dog, Is a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.
DARBYHe that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
BBEHe who gets mixed up in a fight which is not his business, is like one who takes a dog by the ears while it is going by.
WebsterHe that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

What does Proverbs 26:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. meddleth--as in Pr 20:19; 24:21; as either holding a dog by the ears or letting him go involves danger, so success in another man's strife or failure involves a useless risk of reputation, does no good, and may do us harm.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 He that passeth by - This proverb stands true ninety-nine times out of a hundred, where people meddle with domestic broils, or differences between men and their wives.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
To make ourselves busy in other men's matters, is to thrust ourselves into temptation.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 26:17 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.

מַחֲזִ֥יקma.cha.Zik[one who] takes holdH2388
בְּאָזְנֵי\־be.'a.ze.nei-on [the] ears ofH241
כָ֑לֶבKha.leva dogH3611
עֹבֵ֥ר'o.Vera passer byH5674
מִ֝תְעַבֵּ֗רmit.'a.Ber[who] becomes angryH5674
עַל\־'al-onH5921
רִ֥יבriva disputeH7379
לֹּֽא\־lo'-[which] notH3808
לֽוֹ\׃lo[belongs] to him

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

Cross references for Proverbs 26:17

  • Proverbs 20:3

    It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

  • 2 Timothy 2:23-24

    But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

  • Proverbs 18:6

    A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

  • Luke 12:14

    And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

  • Proverbs 17:11

    An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
passeth.
17:11; 18:6; 20:3; Lu 12:14; 2Ti 2:23,24
meddleth. or, is enraged.

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

Context

  • Proverbs 26:16

    The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

  • Proverbs 26:17

    He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

  • Proverbs 26:18

    As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

Read all of Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que pasando se deja llevar de la ira en pleito ajeno, es como el que toma al perro por las orejas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Il saisit un chien par les oreilles, celui qui, en passant, s’emporte pour une dispute qui n’est pas la sienne.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der ergreift einen Hund bei den Ohren, wer vorbeigehend sich über einen Streit ereifert, der ihn nichts angeht.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sicut qui apprehendit auribus canem, sic qui transit impatiens et commiscetur rixæ alterius.