Proverbs 17:19 — Word Study
WLCאֹ֣הֵֽב פֶּ֭שַׁע אֹהֵ֣ב מַצָּ֑ה מַגְבִּ֥יהַּ פִּ֝תְח֗וֹ מְבַקֶּשׁ־ שָֽׁבֶר׃
BSAHe who lovesʼâhab [has affection for, is devoted to] transgressionpeshaʻ [rebellion, sin] lovesʼâhab [is drawn to, enjoys] strifematstsâh [quarrels, debate] he who builds his gatepethach [exalts, raises high, entrance, doorway] highgâbahh [lofty, proudly] invitesbâqash [seeks, opens himself to] destructionsheber [breaking, shattering]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֹ֣הֵֽב | [one who] loves | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| פֶּ֭שַׁע | transgression | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אֹהֵ֣ב | [is] loving | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| מַצָּ֑ה | contention | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| מַגְבִּ֥יהַּ | [one who] makes high | Verb, Hiphil, participle (active) masculine singular |
| פִּ֝תְח֗וֹ | entrance his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| מְבַקֶּשׁ־ | [is] seeking | Verb, Piel, participle (active) masculine singular |
| שָֽׁבֶר׃ | ruin | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction. |
| KJV | He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. |
| ASV | He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction. |
| YLT | Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction. |
| WEB | He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction. |
| BBE | The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction. |
Where they part company is שָֽׁבֶר — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses connected by a semicolon, emphasizing the relationship between love for transgression and the resulting consequences.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָהֵב
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 17:19
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom on Human Behaviorgenerated
Proverbs 17:19 discusses the relationship between love for wrongdoing and the resulting strife and destruction. This verse is part of a larger discourse on the consequences of foolish actions, emphasizing that those who embrace sin will face conflict and ruin in their lives. The preceding and following verses further illustrate the themes of judgment and the consequences of poor choices.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 17:14 | To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out. |
| 2 | Proverbs 29:9–22 | If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution. |
| 3 | 2 Corinthians 12:20 | For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. |
| 4 | James 1:20 | for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. |
| 5 | James 3:14–16 | But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֹ֣הֵֽב, 'O.hevgenerated
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including love for family, friends, and God. In this verse, it emphasizes a strong emotional attachment to transgression, indicating a deeper commitment to wrongdoing.
The participle form indicates an ongoing action, suggesting that the individual continually loves transgression, which in turn leads to a love for strife. This highlights a cycle of negative behavior that can escalate into greater conflict.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse features two main clauses linked by a semicolon. The first clause, with the finite verb אֹ֣הֵֽב, loves, describes the relationship between loving transgression and loving strife.
The second clause introduces another subject with the verb מַגְבִּ֥יהַּ, makes high, which connects the act of building one's gate high to the invitation of destruction. This parallel structure emphasizes the consequences of both actions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates פֶּ֭שַׁע as φιλαμαρτήμων, which suggests a focus on the love of sinning. This choice emphasizes a broader understanding of transgression as not just an act but a lifestyle.
The word for destruction in the Septuagint is not directly matched but indicates a similar concept of ruin, showing that the translators recognized the serious consequences of such behavior.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 17:19 teaches that loving wrongdoing leads to conflict, while those who elevate their entrance invite ruin. It warns against the consequences of foolish actions and choices.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To love transgression means to have a strong affection for wrongdoing, which can lead to ongoing conflict and strife.
Building one's gate high symbolizes pride and arrogance, which can invite ruin and destruction in one's life.
Loving strife leads to ongoing conflict, making relationships difficult and inviting further trouble.
This verse serves as a reminder to examine our affections and choices, encouraging us to avoid paths that lead to conflict and destruction.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some areas in my life where I might be loving transgression instead of righteousness?
- How can I build my life in a way that invites peace rather than destruction?
- What steps can I take to avoid strife in my relationships?
- In what ways can I seek wisdom to guide my actions and decisions?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 17:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe loveth transgression that loveth strife,.... For strife is transgression, when it flows from a malignant spirit, is with bad views, about things to no profit, and for contention's sake; otherwise
Read John Gill on Proverbs 17 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He loveth transgression that loveth strife - because strife both is itself a transgression, and is the source of many transgressions.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 17 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHe loveth transgression that loveth strife, because contention is in itself a sin, and is commonly accompanied or followed with many sins, as detraction, malice, hatred, pride, &c. His gate; either, 1. His mouth, i.e. who speaketh loftily; for we read of the gate or doors of one’ s mouth in . and elsewhere; but then the word mouth or tongue is added to determine the sense: but the mouth is no where called the gate, simply or absolutely. Or, 2. The gate of his house that maketh it, and consequently his house, lofty and magnificent, beyond what befits his quality, which being an evidence and effect of pride and haughtiness of spirit, is here mentioned for all the rest. So the sense is, He who…
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 17 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 17:19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.Ver. 19. He loveth transgression that loveth strife.] It is strange that any should love strife, that hellhag, εριςερυννις. And yet some, like trouts, love to swim against the stream; like salamanders, they live in the fire of contention; like Phocion, they hold it a goodly thing to dissent from others; like Pyrrhus, they are a "people that delight in war"; like David’ s enemies, "I am for peace," saith he (that was his motto), "but when I speak of it, they are for war." These unquiet spirits are of the devil doubtless, that turbulent creature, that troubler of God’ s Israel. He…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 17 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(19) He that exalteth his gate.—Builds himself a sumptuous house.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 17 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 19. He that exalteth his gate] In different parts of Palestine they are obliged to have the doors of their courts and houses very low, not more than three feet high, to prevent the Arabs, who scarcely ever leave the backs of their horses, from riding into the courts and houses, and spoiling their goods. He, then, who, through pride and ostentation, made a high gate, exposed himself to destruction; and is said here to seek it, because he must know that this would be a necessary consequence of exalting his gate. But although the above is a fact, yet possibly gate is here taken for the mouth; and the exalting of the gate may mean proud boasting and arrogant speaking, such as has a…
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 17 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges19. exalteth] Or, raiseth high, R.V. Comp. Proverbs 16:18. See for illustrations of such “raising high the gate” and of the “destruction” that follows it, Jeremiah 22:13-19, and the case of Haman in the Book of Esther. The relation of pride to strife (Proverbs 13:10) supplies a connecting link between the two clauses of this verse.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 17 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHe that exalteth his gate - i. e., Builds a stately house, indulges in arrogant ostentation.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 17 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.
The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction.
Tyndale line
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: He that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: he that raiseth high his gate seeketh destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
Strictly literal
He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
Whoso is loving transgression is loving debate, Whoso is making high his entrance is seeking destruction.
Whoever is loving transgression is loving debate, || Whoever is making his entrance high is seeking destruction.
He loveth transgression that loveth quarrel; and he that maketh high his door seeketh destruction.
Whoever loves conflict loves sin; the one who makes the threshold of his door too high causes bones to be broken.
From the Latin
He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
Simplified
People who love sin like to argue; those who build high gates invite destruction.
The lover of fighting is a lover of sin: he who makes high his doorway is looking for destruction.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with five of the eight words matched. The Septuagint's word order differs, but its translation reflects a similar understanding of the verse's meaning.
אֹ֣הֵֽב פֶּ֭שַׁע אֹהֵ֣ב מַצָּ֑ה מַגְבִּ֥יהַּ פִּ֝תְח֗וֹ מְבַקֶּשׁ־ שָֽׁבֶר׃
5 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 17:19
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.
אָהֵב 216 vb. love
Qal
human love to human object
less oft. of appetite
love to God
esp. Pt.
of divine love
Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable
Pi.
friends
lovers
base
H157 אָהֵב love
157 'ahab aw-hab'
or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for
(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,
friend.
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.
: lover
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
1a5b) to people Israel
1a5c) to righteousness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) lovely (participle)
1b2) loveable (participle)
1c) (Piel)
1c1) friends
1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)
2) to like
Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.
: friend
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
luvz (Ps 45:1, title).
See PSALMS.
פֶּ֫שַׁע (pesha`) means transgression and is derived from a root that implies revolt, whether national, moral, or religious. It encompasses various forms of wrongdoing, including offenses against individuals, nations, and God, as well as the associated guilt and punishment. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
פֶּ֫שַׁע n.m. transgression
base
H6588 פֶּ֫שַׁע transgression
6588 pesha` peh'-shah
from 6586; a revolt (national, moral or
religious):--rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.
see HEBREW for 06586
פֶּ֫שַׁע (pe.sah) — transgression.
1) transgression, rebellion
1a1) transgression (against individuals)
1a2) transgression (nation against nation)
1a3) transgression (against God)
1a3a) in general
1a3b) as recognised by sinner
1a3c) as God deals with it
1a3d) as God forgives
1a4) guilt of transgression
1a5) punishment for transgression
1a6) offering for transgression
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
trans-gresh'-un: From "transgress," to pass over or beyond; to overpass, as any rule prescribed as the limit of duty; to break or violate, as a law, civil or moral; the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or known principle of rectitude; breach of command; offense; crime; sin. In the Old Testament pesha`, occurs 80 times, rendered in all versions by "transgression." Its meaning is "rebellion"; see REBELLION. The word "rebellion" differs from this word in that it may be in the heart, though no opportunity should be granted for its manifestation: "An evil man seeketh only rebellion" (Pr 17:11). Here the wise man contemplates an evil heart, looking for an excuse or opportunity to rebel.
The New Testament uses parabasis, "trespass": "The law .... was added because of transgressions" (
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.
אָהֵב 216 vb. love
Qal
human love to human object
less oft. of appetite
love to God
esp. Pt.
of divine love
Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable
Pi.
friends
lovers
base
H157 אָהֵב love
157 'ahab aw-hab'
or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for
(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,
friend.
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.
: lover
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
1a5b) to people Israel
1a5c) to righteousness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) lovely (participle)
1b2) loveable (participle)
1c) (Piel)
1c1) friends
1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)
2) to like
Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.
: friend
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
מַצָּה (matstsah) refers to strife or contention. It is derived from the root word meaning to quarrel, and is consistently defined across entries as relating to conflict or debate.
מַצָּה n.f. strife, contention
base
H4683 מַצָּה strife, contention
4683 matstsah mats-tsaw'
from 5327; a quarrel:--contention, debate, strife.
see HEBREW for 05327
מַצָּה (mats.tsah) — strife.
strife, contention
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
→ See STRIFE
גָּבַהּ (gabahh) is a Hebrew root meaning to be high or exalted. It can refer to physical height or a figurative sense of arrogance and pride. The word appears in various forms, including Qal, indicating a state of being lofty, and Hiphil, which means to elevate or exalt. There is a distinction in connotation, as it can imply both positive exaltation and negative haughtiness.
גָּבַהּ vb. be high, exalted
Qal
be high, lofty, tall
be exalted
lofty
Hiph. make high, exalt
base
H1361 גָּבַהּ be high, exalted
1361 gabahh gaw-bah'
a primitive root; to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be
haughty:--exalt, be haughty, be (make) high(-er), lift up,
mount up, be proud, raise up great height, upward.
גָּבַהּ (ga.vah) — to exult.
1) to be high, be exalted
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be high, lofty, tall
1a2) to be exalted
1a3) to be lofty
1a3a) to be lofty (of Jehovah's ways-good sense)
1a3b) to be haughty, be arrogant (bad sense)
1b) (Hiphil) to make high, exalt
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singularHVhrmsa
פֶּ֫תַח (pethach) refers to an opening, such as a doorway or entrance. It is derived from a root meaning to open and encompasses terms like gate and entrance way. The entries consistently highlight its literal and figurative uses, but do not provide specific verse references.
פֶּ֫תַח 164 n.m. opening, doorway, entrance
base
H6607 פֶּ֫תַח opening, doorway, entrance
6607 pethach peh'-thakh
from 6605; an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or
entrance way:--door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate,
opening, place.
see HEBREW for 06605
פֶּ֫תַח (pe.tach) — entrance.
opening, doorway, entrance
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
בָּקַשׁ (baqash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to seek or search out, often in the context of worship or prayer. It encompasses a range of actions including asking, desiring, and requiring. The verb can appear in different forms, such as Piel and Pual, indicating various nuances of seeking or being sought.
[בָּקַשׁ] 224 vb. seek
Pi.
seek to find
seek to secure
seek the face
desire, demand
require, exact
exact equivalent or penalty for
(late) ask, request
Pu. be sought
base
H1245 בָּקַשׁ seek
1245 baqash baw-kash'
a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically
in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after:--ask,
beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure,
(make) request, require, seek (for).
בָּקַשׁ (ba.qash) — to seek.
1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to seek to find
1a2) to seek to secure
1a3) to seek the face
1a4) to desire, demand
1a5) to require, exact
1a6) to ask, request
1b) (Pual) to be sought
V-Piel — Verb · Piel · participle (active) masculine singularHVprmsa
שֶׁ֫בֶר (sheber) refers to breaking or fracturing, encompassing meanings like crash, ruin, and destruction. It can also denote the breaking of a dream and its interpretation. The term appears in various contexts, including physical damage and emotional distress.
שֶׁ֫בֶר, שֵׁ֫בֶר n.m. breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash
base
H7667 שֶׁ֫בֶר, שֵׁ֫בֶר breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash
7667 sheber sheh'-ber
or sheber {shay'-ber}; from 7665; a fracture, figuratively,
ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream):--affliction,
breach, breaking, broken(-footed, -handed), bruise, crashing,
destruction, hurt, interpretation, vexation.
see HEBREW for 07665
שֶׁ֫בֶר (she.ver) — breaking.
1) breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, shattering
1a) breaking, fracture, shattering, crushing
1b) crashing
1c) breaking (of a dream), interpretation
1d) quarries
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
roo'-in (haricah, etc.; rhegma): "Ruin," the translation of haricah (Am 9:11; compare Ac 15:16, where the Revised Version (British and American) Greek text, ta katestrammena), and of a number of other Hebrew words: in Lu 6:49 rhegma, "breakage," is used both in a literal sense (Isa 23:13; 25:2, of fallen buildings; Eze 27:27; 31:13, of a state or people; Lu 6:49, of a house, etc.) and with a moral significance (Pr 26:28). the Revised Version margin correctly renders mikhshol in