Proverbs 18:16 — Word Study
WLCמַתָּ֣ן אָ֭דָם יַרְחִ֣יב ל֑וֹ וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְדֹלִ֣ים יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃
BSAA man’sʼâdâm [the individual, person] giftmattân [offering, present] opens doorsrâchab▸ [makes room, enlarges] and brings himnâchâh▸ [leads, guides] beforepânîym [into the presence of] great mengâdôwl [important, noble, leaders, dignitaries]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַתָּ֣ן | [the] gift of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אָ֭דָם | a person | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| יַרְחִ֣יב | it makes space | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| ל֑וֹ | for him | Preposition, suffix |
| וְלִפְנֵ֖י | and before | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| גְדֹלִ֣ים | great [people] | Adj |
| יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃ | it leads him | Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. |
| KJV | A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. |
| ASV | A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men. |
| YLT | The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him. |
| WEB | A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. |
| BBE | A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men. |
Where they part company is in the nuances of the word מַתָּן — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a subordinate clause that elaborates on the outcome of the gift.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָחַב
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 18:16
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 in Proverbsgenerated
Proverbs 18:16 illustrates the value of a man’s gift, suggesting it can create opportunities and facilitate connections with important figures. This verse is situated within a broader discourse on wisdom and discernment, emphasizing the importance of gifts in social interactions. The surrounding verses also explore themes of knowledge and justice, as seen in Proverbs 18:15 and Proverbs 18:17.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 17:8 | A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds. |
| 2 | Proverbs 19:6 | Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver. |
| 3 | Proverbs 21:14 | A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. |
| 4 | Genesis 32:20 | You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me. ” |
| 5 | Genesis 33:10 | But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַתָּן, ma.Tangenerated
The Hebrew word מַתָּן (*mattan*) means 'gift' or 'present.' It is derived from the root meaning 'to give' and encompasses various forms of gifts, offerings, and rewards. The parsing indicates it is a masculine singular noun in the construct state, suggesting a relationship to another noun, likely indicating the gift belongs to someone.
This word is used in contexts that highlight the importance of giving, whether as a form of charity or as a means to gain favor. It is significant in this verse as it sets the stage for how gifts can influence social dynamics.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יַרְחִ֣יב, it makes space, governs the structure of the verse, with two clauses following it: one describing what the gift does and another explaining where it leads. The Hebrew sentence structure emphasizes the action of the gift first, highlighting its importance.
The second verb יַנְחֶֽנּוּ, it leads him, connects the subject and the object directly, showing the relationship between the gift and the outcome of being brought before great men.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מַתָּן as δόμα, which also means 'gift.' This choice maintains the original meaning but may suggest a more formal or sacrificial connotation, as seen in other contexts within the Greek texts.
The Greek word ἀνθρώπου for 'man' reflects a similar understanding as the Hebrew, emphasizing the human aspect of the subject.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 18:16 teaches that a man’s gift can open doors for him and lead him to influential people. This highlights the value of generosity and the impact it can have on one’s relationships and opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It suggests that gifts can create opportunities and favorable situations for the giver.
Gifts can serve as a means to gain favor and establish connections with those in power.
While it often refers to material gifts, it can also encompass acts of kindness or service.
It encourages generosity and the idea that thoughtful gestures can lead to positive outcomes in relationships.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What gifts or talents do I have that I can use to create opportunities for myself and others?
- How can I be more generous in my interactions with those around me?
- In what ways have I seen gifts open doors in my own life?
- How can I apply the wisdom of this verse in my relationships with influential people?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on this verse, interpreting the gift as representing a virtuous life that opens pathways to God and others.
“A man’s gift” is called an upright life. It is that gift that “makes room for him” and makes him worthy of the fullness of God. It is that very thing which is called the “throne” of the holy powers.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 18 →
The gift of a man makes his way broad, etc. The gift of charity or other virtues which the faithful receive from the Lord broadens the way of their actions because the more they are internally filled with the grace of the Spirit,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 18 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 18:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleA man's gift maketh room for him,.... Or "enlarges him" (y); brings him out of prison, or, or out of straits and difficulties with which he, has, been pressed; or it makes way for him to a judge, and
Read John Gill on Proverbs 18 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryA man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. A man's gift maketh room for him - maketh a clear and wide way for him into the presence of those to whom he desires access.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 18 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleMaketh room for him; procures him free access to great men. Heb. enlargeth him, as this very phrase is rendered, , and elsewhere; freeth him from straits and oppressions. Bringeth him before great men; gets him favour and free conversation with them.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 18 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 18:16 A man’ s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. Ver. 16. A man’ s gift maketh room for him.] This Jacob knew well, and therefore bade his sons take a present for the governor of the land, though it were but of every good thing a little. So Saul, when to go to the man of God to inquire about the asses; "But behold, said he to his servant, if we go, what shall we bring the man? what have we?"
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 18 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) A man’s gift.—Judicious liberality “maketh room for him,” helps him to make his way through life. (Comp. Luke 16:9, and the advice there given so to use temporal riches as to gain those of heaven.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 18 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. A man's gift maketh room for him] It is, and ever has been, a base and degrading practice in Asiatic countries, to bring a gift or present to the great man into whose presence you come. Without this there is no audience, no favour, no justice. This arose from the circumstance that men must not approach the altar of God without an offering. Potentates, wishing to be considered as petty gods, demanded a similar homage: - Munera, crede mihi, capiunt hominesque deosque; Placatur donis Jupiter ipse suis. OVID "Believe me, gifts prevail much with both gods and men: even Jupiter himself is pleased with his own offerings."
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 18 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe “gift” (or, bribe), by a bold personification, appears as the powerful “friend at court,” who introduces another, and makes him welcome in high places.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 18 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible16. Maketh room for him — Obtains for him greater liberty and privileges. In the East it has ever been the custom to bring presents to nobles and princes.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 18 →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
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
A person’s gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people.
Tyndale line
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.
Strictly literal
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.
The gift of a man makes room for him, || And it leads him before the great.
A man's gift maketh room for him, and before great men will it lead him.
A man's gift may open the way and bring him before an important person.
From the Latin
A man’s gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.
Simplified
A gift opens doors for you, and gets you into the presence of important people.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
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 agree in their wording for this verse, indicating a consistent understanding of the text across these traditions.
מַתָּ֣ן אָ֭דָם יַרְחִ֣יב ל֑וֹ וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְדֹלִ֣ים יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃
7 of the 7 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 18:16
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 מַתָּן (*mattan*) means 'gift' or 'present.' It is derived from the root meaning 'to give' and encompasses various forms of gifts, offerings, and rewards. The entries consistently define it as a collective noun for gifts, with no significant disagreement among lexicons.
מַתָּן n.m. coll. gift(s)
base
H4976 מַתָּן gift(s)
4976 mattan mat-tawn'
from 5414; a present:--gift, to give, reward.
see HEBREW for 05414
מַתָּן (mat.tan) — gift.
gifts, offerings, presents
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אָדָם (adam) refers to 'man' or 'mankind,' encompassing both individual humans and the species as a whole. It is also the name of the first man in the Bible, Adam, who is mentioned in various verses, including Genesis 2:19. The term can denote a city in the Jordan valley as well. The entries indicate a range of meanings, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind
a man = human being
coll. man, mankind
n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)
n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)
base
H120 אָדָם man, mankind . a man = human being
. coll. man, mankind
120 'adam aw-dawm'
from 119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the
species, mankind, etc.):--X another, + hypocrite, + common
sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person.
see HEBREW for 0119
אָדָם (a.dam) — man.
1) man, mankind
1a) man, human being
1b) man, mankind (much more frequently intended sense in OT)
1c) Adam, first man
1d) city in Jordan valley
אָדָם (a.dam) — the man (Adam).
The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19;
married to Eve (H2332);
father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33;
Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121)
man, human being
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
רָחַב (rachab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or grow wide or large. It encompasses various forms, including being widened or enlarged (Qal), describing broad or roomy pastures (Niphal), and the act of making something large or enlarging it (Hiphil). The entries collectively emphasize both literal and figurative uses of the term.
רָחַב [? also רָחֹב] vb. be or grow, wide, large
Qal be widened, enlarged
Niph. broad, roomy, pasture.
Hiph.
make large
enlarge
base
H7337 רָחַב [? also רָחֹב] be or grow, wide, large
7337 rachab raw-khab'
a primitive root; to broaden (intransitive or transitive,
literal or figurative):--be an en-(make) large(-ing), make
room, make (open) wide.
רָחַב (ra.chav) — to enlarge.
1) to be or grow wide, be or grow large
1a) (Qal) to be widened, be enlarged
1b) (Niphal) broad or roomy pasture (participle)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make large
1c2) to enlarge
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
Conj | Prep | N-cp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHC/R/Ncmpc
be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).
גָּדוֹל (gadol) means 'great' and covers a wide range of meanings, including large in size, number, intensity, sound, age, and importance. It can also refer to notable individuals or even God. Additionally, it appears as a proper noun in reference to a person named in Nehemiah 11:14. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, but do not present significant disagreement.
גָּדוֹל 622 adj. great
in magnitude and extent
in number
in intensity
in sound, loud
in age
in importance
in phrases
cstr.
as subst. concr. do great things
† as subst. neut. greatness of arm
H1419a גָּדוֹל great . in magnitude and extent
. in number
. in intensity
. in sound, loud
. in age
. in importance
. in phrases
. cstr.
. as subst. concr. do great things
. † as subst. neut. greatness of arm
H1419b הַגְּדוֹלִים father of Zabdiel
1419 gadowl gaw-dole'
or (shortened) gadol {gaw-dole'}; from 1431; great (in any
sense); hence, older; also insolent:--+ aloud, elder(-est), +
exceeding(-ly), + far, (man of) great (man, matter,
thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble,
proud thing, X sore, (X ) very.
see HEBREW for 01431
גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — great: large.
adj
1) great
1a) large (in magnitude and extent)
1b) in number
1c) in intensity
1d) loud (in sound)
1e) older (in age)
1f) in importance
1f1) important things
1f2) great, distinguished (of men)
1f3) God Himself (of God)
subst
1g) great things
1h) haughty things
1i) greatness
Also means: ga.dol (גָּדוֹל ": old" H1419K)
§ Haggedolim = "the great one"
(CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel
גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — Haggedolim.
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.11.14
§ Haggedolim = "the great one"
(CLBL) Haggedolim, the great man?, father of Zabdiel
גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — Great (Sea).
adj
great
Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
גָּדוֹל (ga.dol) — great: old.
adj
1) great
1a) large (in magnitude and extent)
1b) in number
1c) in intensity
1d) loud (in sound)
Adj — AdjHAampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
נָחָה (nachah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to lead or guide. It can imply bringing someone or something to a destination, governing, or even transporting into exile. The entries indicate its use in both the Qal and Hiphil forms, suggesting a range of meanings related to leadership and guidance.
[נָחָה] vb. lead, guide
Qal lead, bring
Hiph. lead, guide
base
H5148 נָחָה lead, guide
5148 nachah naw-khaw'
a primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport
(into exile, or as colonists):--bestow, bring, govern, guide,
lead (forth), put, straiten.
נָחָה (na.chah) — to lead.
1) to lead, guide
1a) (Qal) to lead, bring
1b) (Hiphil) to lead, guide
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVhi3ms/Sp3ms