Proverbs 6:1
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
Proverbs 6:1 in other translations
| BSB | My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger, |
|---|---|
| WEB | My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger, |
| ASV | My son, if thou art become surety for thy neighbor, If thou hast stricken thy hands for a stranger; |
| YLT | My son! if thou hast been surety for thy friend, Hast stricken for a stranger thy hand, |
| DARBY | My son, if thou hast become surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand for a stranger, |
| BBE | My son, if you have made yourself responsible for your neighbour, or given your word for another, |
| Webster | My son, if thou art surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, |
What does Proverbs 6:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:1-2
Pr 6:1-35. After admonitions against suretyship and sloth (compare Pr 6:6-8), the character and fate of the wicked generally are set forth, and the writer (Pr 6:20-35) resumes the warnings against incontinence, pointing out its certain and terrible results. This train of thought seems to intimate the kindred of these vices.
1-2. if--The condition extends through both verses. be surety--art pledged. stricken ... hand--bargained (compare Job 17:3). with a stranger--that is, for a friend (compare Pr 11:15; 17:18).Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
Exhortations against becoming surety for others, Pro 6:1-5; against idleness, from the example of the ant, Pro 6:6-11; description of a worthless person, Pro 6:12-15; seven things hateful to God, Pro 6:16-19; the benefits of instruction, Pro 6:20-23; farther exhortations against bad women, and especially against adultery, Pro 6:24-33; what may be expected from jealousy, Pro 6:34, Pro 6:35. Verse 1 If thou be surety for thy friend - לרעך lereacha, for thy neighbor; i.e., any person. If thou pledge thyself in behalf of another, thou takest the burden off him, and placest it on thine own shoulders; and when he knows he has got one to stand between him and the demands of law and justice, he will feel little responsibility; his spirit of exertion will become crippled, and listlessness as to the event will be the consequence. His own character will suffer little; his property nothing, for his friend bears all the burden: and perhaps the very person for whom he bore this burden treats him with neglect; and, lest the restoration of the pledge should be required, will avoid both the sight and presence of his friend. Give what thou canst; but, except in extreme cases, be surety for no man. Striking or shaking hands when the mouth had once made the promise, was considered as the ratification of the engagement; and thus the man became ensnared with the words of his mouth.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 6:1-5
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Proverbs 6:1 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 6:1
- Proverbs 22:26
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
- Proverbs 17:18
A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
- Proverbs 20:16
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
- Proverbs 11:15
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
- Genesis 43:9
I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
- Genesis 44:32-33
For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
- Job 17:3
Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?
- Hebrews 7:22
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
- Proverbs 27:13
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
- Philemon 1:18-19
If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6 idleness;
12 and mischievousness.
16 Seven things hateful to God.
20 The blessings of obedience.
25 The mischiefs of whoredom.
if thou be.
11:15; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26; 27:13; Ge 43:9; 44:32,33; Job 17:3
Phm 1:18,19; Heb 7:22
thou hast.To strike, or join hands, was an ancient form of entering into contracts in all counties and all ages.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Proverbs 6:1
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
- Proverbs 6:2
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
Proverbs 6:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | HIJO mío, si salieres fiador por tu amigo, si tocaste tu mano por el extraño, |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Mon fils, si tu t’es porté caution pour ton prochain, si tu as engagé ta main pour un étranger, |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Mein Sohn, wenn du Bürge geworden bist für deinen Nächsten, für einen anderen deine Hand eingeschlagen hast; |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Fili mi, si spoponderis pro amico tuo, defixisti apud extraneum manum tuam: |