Proverbs 17:2

Verse

A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

American Standard Version (1901)

A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

Bible in Basic English

A servant who does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers.

Douay-Rheims 1899

A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.

Free Bible Version

A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.

Geneva Bible 1599

A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.

King James (Authorized) Version

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

One Unity Resource Bible

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

Translation for Translators

A slave who acts wisely will some day be the boss of his master’s disgraceful son and when his master dies, the slave will receive part of his master’s possessions.

Unlocked Literal Bible

A wise servant will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

Noah Webster Bible

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

World English Bible

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

Young's Literal Translation

A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.

Context

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

¹Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. ²A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

Summary

This verse highlights the importance of wisdom and discernment in human interactions. It emphasizes that a servant who acts wisely will rule over a disgraceful son, indicating that competence and prudence lead to positions of authority and influence. The contrast between the servant and the son underscores the value of wisdom over mere status or lineage. Ultimately, the verse teaches that wise choices and actions bring honor and advancement, regardless of one's background or initial circumstances.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Matthew Henry
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

(Compare Pro 14:35). causeth shame-- (Pro 10:5). shall . . . inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare Num 27:4, Num 27:7).

John Gill Bible Commentary

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,.... That does wicked and shameful actions: that is slothful, and will not attend to instruction or business; that is prodigal, wasteful, and luxurious, and causes shame to his parents, who blush at his conduct. Now a servant that behaves well and wisely in a family is observed and respected by his master, and he puts his wicked and extravagant son under him, makes him a tutor to him, and sets him to watch over him, and obliges his son to obey his orders. Jarchi illustrates this in Nebuchadnezzar ruling over the children of Israel; and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren; be appointed by his master's will to a share in his estate among his children, for his faithful service to him in life, and to encourage him to take care of his family, his children, and his affairs, after his death; or through gifts in his lifetime shall have what is equal to what his sons have; or growing rich shall purchase a part of theirs, as Gussetius (y): or "shall part the inheritance among the brethren" (z); being a wise man, his master shall leave him executor of his will, to divide his substance among his children, and see that everyone have their proper portion and equal share; but it rather is to be understood of his being a co-heir with them. So the Gentiles, through the will of the Lord, become fellow heirs of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ with the Jews, and share in the same inheritance with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their children; nay, when the children of the kingdom shall be shut out; see Eph 3:6. Jarchi gives an ancient exposition of it thus, "a proselyte of righteousness is better than a wicked native; and in time to come he shall divide the spoil and the inheritance in the midst of the children of Israel, at it is said in Eze 47:23;'' (y) Ebr. Comment. p. 263. (z) "dividet", Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Syriac version and the Targum; "partitur", Junius & Tremellius; "partieur", Piscator.

Proverbs 17:2

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

¹Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. ²A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

American Standard Version (1901)

A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren.

Bible in Basic English

A servant who does wisely will have rule over a son causing shame, and will have his part in the heritage among brothers.

Douay-Rheims 1899

A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.

Free Bible Version

A servant who acts wisely will be put in charge of a disgraced son, and will share the family inheritance with the brothers.

Geneva Bible 1599

A discrete seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne, and hee shall deuide the heritage among the brethren.

King James (Authorized) Version

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

One Unity Resource Bible

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

Translation for Translators

A slave who acts wisely will some day be the boss of his master’s disgraceful son and when his master dies, the slave will receive part of his master’s possessions.

Unlocked Literal Bible

A wise servant will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

Noah Webster Bible

A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

World English Bible

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

Young's Literal Translation

A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Matthew Henry
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

(Compare Pro 14:35). causeth shame-- (Pro 10:5). shall . . . inheritance--that is, share a brother's part (compare Num 27:4, Num 27:7).

John Gill Bible Commentary

Proverbs 17:2

Verse

Context

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

Summary

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Matthew Henry Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Proverbs 17:2

Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Matthew Henry Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes