I don't understand this: Proverbs 17:8?

Question

"A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns, he prospers." (Proverbs 17:8)

What is the meaning of this verse? I don't understand it.

Ok. I understand that a present is a precious stone... but why does it say, "wherever he turns, he prospers."

Just because I get a present doesn't mean I am going to prosper wherever I turn. The verse makes no sense to me.

Answer 1

Proverbs 17:8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

The Hebrew word for "Gift":

H7810
שׁחד
shachad - shakh'-ad
From H7809; a donation (venal or redemptive): - bribe (-ry), gift, present, reward.

The verse is a bit sarcastic... another translation would be:

Proverbs 17:8 Some people think a bribe works like magic; they believe it can do anything.

But then verse 23 brings more clarity:

Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

Or more clearly:
Proverbs 17:23 Crooks accept secret bribes to keep justice from being done.

I hope this helps.
Peace.

Answer 2

a present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor. if you believe that every present is precious you will prosper. in other words accept everything that is given to you even the smallest gift. look at them as being precious and you will prosper. to many people think of material things and turn away presents that aren't up to their expectations. don't do that and you will prosper

Answer 3

The gift of wisdom. Proverbs 8. Is a present and a precious stone. To the one that seeks it. In the word of God.

Answer 4

A man's gift makes room for him, & brings him before great men. proverbs 18:6 referance to proverbs 17: 8, I believe this is a peace offering this scripture is reffering to. & the reason for prosperity is the intent of the gift. Peace & Love.

Answer 5

The NIV has "A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it;
wherever he turns, he succeeds. "

This I think makes the most sense of the various translations. It means, you can prosper by handing out bribes.

Answer 6

Proverbs 17:8  A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

This is the King James Version. I think that it is much clearer.

GOD bless

Answer 7

It didnt speak much to me at first but then I looked at the Hebrew. "Prospers" comes from the Hebrew SAKAL which means:

1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper

a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect

b) (Hiphil)

1) to look at or upon, have insight

2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent

3) to have insight, have comprehension

a) insight, comprehension (subst)

4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach

a) the teachers, the wise

5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely

6) to prosper, have success

7) to cause to prosper

2) (Piel) to lay crosswise, cross (hands)

So I think this verse simply refers to the power a gift, any gift at all, has upon the recipient of it. We all feel grateful whenever we receive gifts. It inspires us ourselves ro be givers. Kind of like once we have the gift of salvation, we want to give this gift to others as well. So, I think a good lesson from this verse is:

"It is better to give than to receive."

GBY! Hope this helps.

Answer 8

A present is always precious. Don't you feel happy when you recieve a gift? Even if it isn't something you totally adore, the thought is what counts. So those who give will always prosper because they are selfless.

Answer 9

Consider who is speaking, Solomon, he was a king, a polictician. The "gift" is a bribe,. If you can bribe your politicians or foes, you prosper (temporarily) by doing so.

To put it in today's prespective, think of someone buying their way out of trouble.

Answer 10

Translation direct from the Hebrew is:
"A bribe seems like a charm to him who uses it; He succeeds at every turn."

This seems to praise bribes, but it probably describes a course of behavior that seems valuable, but is really destructive.