Proverbs 15:17
Proverbs 15:17 in Multiple Translations
Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Better is a simple meal where love is, than a fat ox and hate with it.
Better a dinner of vegetables where there's love than eating meat with hatred.
Better is a dinner of greene herbes where loue is, then a stalled oxe and hatred therewith.
Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred with it.
It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
Eating meals with people whom you love and having only vegetables to eat is better than eating with people who hate each other and having lots of good meat to eat.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 15:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 15:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ט֤וֹב
אֲרֻחַ֣ת
יָ֭רָק
וְ/אַהֲבָה
שָׁ֑ם
מִ/שּׁ֥וֹר
אָ֝ב֗וּס
וְ/שִׂנְאָה
בֽ/וֹ
ט֤וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
אֲרֻחַ֣ת
ʼăruchâh
H737
ration
N-fs
יָ֭רָק
yârâq
H3419
herb
N-ms
וְ/אַהֲבָה
ʼahăbâh
H160
love
Conj | N-fs
שָׁ֑ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
מִ/שּׁ֥וֹר
shôwr
H7794
cattle
Prep | N-ms
אָ֝ב֗וּס
ʼâbaç
H75
to fatten
V-Qal-Inf-c
וְ/שִׂנְאָה
sinʼâh
H8135
hating
Conj | N-fs
בֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 15:17
ט֤וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
אֲרֻחַ֣ת
ʼăruchâh
H737
"ration"
N-fs
This word refers to a portion of food or a meal. In the Bible, it is used to describe the food given to people, like the allowance of food for the Israelites. It can also mean a diet or a specific amount of food.
Definition: 1) meal, allowance, ration 1a) food 1b) diet
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: allowance, diet, dinner, victuals. See also: 2 Kings 25:30; Jeremiah 40:5; Proverbs 15:17.
יָ֭רָק
yârâq
H3419
"herb"
N-ms
This word refers to green plants, like herbs and vegetables, which are essential for human life. It appears in Exodus and Leviticus, describing the food God provided for the Israelites.
Definition: herbs, herbage, vegetables, garden greens
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: green, herbs. See also: Deuteronomy 11:10; 2 Kings 19:26; Proverbs 15:17.
וְ/אַהֲבָה
ʼahăbâh
H160
"love"
Conj | N-fs
This word means love or affection, describing human love for others or God's love for His people. It is used in many contexts, including romantic love and friendship. The Bible often talks about God's love.
Definition: 1) love 1a) human love for human object 1a1) of man toward man 1a2) of man toward himself 1a3) between man and woman 1a4) sexual desire 2) God's love to His people
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: love. See also: Deuteronomy 7:8; Song of Solomon 2:4; Psalms 109:4.
שָׁ֑ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
מִ/שּׁ֥וֹר
shôwr
H7794
"cattle"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to cattle, like oxen or bulls, used for work, food, or sacrifices, as seen in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) ox, bull, a head of cattle 1a) for plowing, for food, as sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: tor (תּוֹר "bullock" H8450)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for H7791 (שׁוּר)). See also: Genesis 32:6; Deuteronomy 15:19; Psalms 69:32.
אָ֝ב֗וּס
ʼâbaç
H75
"to fatten"
V-Qal-Inf-c
This Hebrew word means to fatten or feed, and is used to describe animals being stalled or fed. It appears in the Bible to describe the care of livestock. In the KJV, it is translated as fatted or stalled.
Definition: 1) to feed, fatten 1a) (Qal) fattened (passive participle)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: fatted, stalled. See also: 1 Kings 5:3; Proverbs 15:17.
וְ/שִׂנְאָה
sinʼâh
H8135
"hating"
Conj | N-fs
This Hebrew word means to hate or have hatred towards someone or something. It can describe the hatred people have towards God or towards each other, and it appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) hating, hatred, hate 1a) hatred 1a1) of man, God
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] exceedingly, hate(-ful, -red). See also: Numbers 35:20; Proverbs 10:12; Psalms 25:19.
בֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Proverbs 15:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 15:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 15:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 15:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 15:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 15:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 15:17
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 15:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 15:17
- Sermons on Proverbs 15:17
Context — A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
15All the days of the oppressed are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
17Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.
18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute. 19The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 17:1 | Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. |
| 2 | Proverbs 21:19 | Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. |
| 3 | 1 John 4:16 | And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. |
| 4 | Philippians 2:1 | Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, |
| 5 | Psalms 133:1–3 | Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD has bestowed the blessing of life forevermore. |
| 6 | Matthew 22:4 | Again, he sent other servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’ |
| 7 | Luke 15:23 | Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. |
Proverbs 15:17 Summary
Proverbs 15:17 teaches us that having love and kindness in our relationships is more important than having lots of money or material things. Even a simple meal with people we love can be more enjoyable than a big, fancy feast with people we don't get along with, as seen in Proverbs 17:1. This verse reminds us to prioritize what truly matters in life, like our relationships and our walk with God (Proverbs 15:16), and to cultivate a spirit of love and contentment in our daily lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a 'dish of vegetables' in Proverbs 15:17?
The 'dish of vegetables' in Proverbs 15:17 represents a humble and simple meal, symbolizing contentment with what one has, as seen in Proverbs 15:16 where it is better to have a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil. This teaches us to prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth.
How does love make a difference in our lives according to Proverbs 15:17?
According to Proverbs 15:17, love makes even the simplest things, like a dish of vegetables, better than the finest things, like a fattened ox, without love, as also seen in Proverbs 17:1 where it is better to have a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
What is the contrast between a 'fattened ox' and a 'dish of vegetables' in this verse?
The contrast between a 'fattened ox' and a 'dish of vegetables' in Proverbs 15:17 highlights the difference between worldly luxuries and humble, simple living, with the latter being preferable when accompanied by love, as supported by Proverbs 28:6 where better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.
How does Proverbs 15:17 relate to our relationships with others?
Proverbs 15:17 teaches us that relationships built on love are more valuable than any material possessions, as also emphasized in Proverbs 18:24 where there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, highlighting the importance of nurturing loving relationships in our lives.
Reflection Questions
- What are some simple pleasures in life that bring you joy, and how can you cultivate more love and appreciation for these things?
- How do you prioritize love and relationships in your life, and what changes can you make to nurture these values?
- In what ways can you apply the principle of Proverbs 15:17 to your daily interactions with family and friends, choosing love over materialism?
- What are some ways you can show love and kindness to those around you, even in small, everyday actions?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 15:17
Better [is] a dinner of herbs, where love is,.... What Plautus (i) calls "asperam et terrestrem caenam", "a harsh and earthly supper", made of what grows out of the earth; which is got without much
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 15:17
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 15:17
Love; true friendship and kindness between those that eat together.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 15:17
Proverbs 15:17 Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.Ver. 17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is.] Mensa consecrata est amicitiae, saith one. The table is dedicated to friendship, and an absurd thing it is there to raise quarrels, or to revenge wrongs, as Absalom did when he killed his brother Amnon; as Alexander did when he killed his friend Philotas; and as the great Turk when he intends the death of any of his great Bashaws - he invites them to a feast, in the midst whereof he commandeth the black gown to be cast upon their shoulders, and then they are presently taken from table and strangled. Isaac made a feast for Abimelech and Phicol, to show that he was heartily reconciled to them. The Greeks had their χαριστηρια, or love feasts for like purpose. Among the Latins, as Varro testifieth, it was held a complete feast, si belli conveniant homines, si temporis sit habita ratio, si locus sit non ingratus, sl non negllgens apparatus, if they were merry men that met, if they sat not over long, nor over late; if the place were pleasant, and the cheer indifferent. Green herbs, it seems, was a great dish with them, which therefore they called Holus, ab ολον, as if they thought no dish were wanting if that were set upon the table. These herbs they are called οξυβαφα, Acetaria, because they used to dip them in vinegar, and thereunto if they had bread, which they called Panis of παν, they held they had all that heart could wish or need require. Varro, Invetr. fragm. Becman.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 15:17
Verse 17. Better is a dinner of herbs] Great numbers of indigent Hindoos subsist wholly on herbs, fried in oil, and mixed with their rice.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 15:17
A dinner of herbs - The meals of the poor and the abstemious. The “stalled ox,” like the “fatted calf” of Luke 15:23, would indicate a stately magnificence.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 15:17
17. A dinner of herbs — A portion or ration of greens. A stalled ox — Stall-fed, highly fattened. A ration of vegetables where love is, is better than roast beef with hatred.
Sermons on Proverbs 15:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Taranaki Bible Conference January 19-2012 - 3 of 5 Sermons by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the consequences of finding Christ in a home. He emphasizes the importance of free will and how it can affect one's relationship with God. Th |
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Preserving Unity by Alan Martin | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of preserving the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. He emphasizes that unity is not something that needs to be create |
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Choosing a Wife - Beauty Is Vain by Tim Conway | This sermon emphasizes the importance of choosing a godly spouse over outward beauty or charm. It warns against the consequences of marrying a contentious or ungodly partner, highl |
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(New Wine in New Wineskins) 3. God Needs Women by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the vital role of women in manifesting God's glory as originally intended at creation. He highlights that women are called to be helpers, mothers, and witness |
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A Psalm of Remembrance by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a foreigner describing the fruits of his land to emphasize the limitations of human description when it comes to conveying the good |
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(1 John #27) Portrait of a Christian by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on 1 John chapter 4 verses 17 and 18. He emphasizes the idea that our love is made perfect when we have boldness in the day of judgment because |
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Knowing the Love of God by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of living a selfless life based on the teachings of 1 John 4:16-19. He emphasizes that true acts of kindness and giving should |