Proverbs 26:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:17

1. That which is here condemned is meddling with strife that belongs not to us. If we must not be hasty to strive in our own cause (Prov. 25:8), much less in other people?s, especially theirs that we are no way related to or concerned in, but light on accidentally as we pass by. If we can be instrumental to make peace between those that are at variance we must do it, though we should thereby get the ill-will of both sides, at least while they are in their heat; but to make ourselves busy in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:17

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him ,.... One that going along the streets, and passing by the door, where two or more persons are quarrelling, and he thrusts himself in and intermeddles in the affair he has no concern in; and interests himself in the cause of the quarrel he has nothing to do with, on account of acquaintance, relation, or office; and especially when, instead of being a mediator and peacemaker, he takes on one side, and acts the angry part, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:17

He that passeth by - This proverb stands true ninety-nine times out of a hundred, where people meddle with domestic broils, or differences between men and their wives. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:17

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him. "Meddleth with strife" should be "vexes, excites himself, with a quarrel." Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears, and thus needlessly provokes him to bark and bite. Regarding the position of the two participles in this verse, without any connecting link, Delitzsch takes "passing by" as attributed to the dog, thus: "He seizes by the ears a dog passing by, who is excited by a strife that concerns him not." The stray dog... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:17-19

Wanton petulance I. MEDDLING IN OTHERS ' QUARRELS . ( Proverbs 26:17 .) By a very homely image the folly of this is marked. To interfere in disputes which do not concern one is to get hurt one's self. No doubt the proverb admits of a very selfish application. We may excuse indifference to right on such a plea. But a true instinct of Christian justice and love will find a middle course. We should be sure of our call to act before we meddle in others' affairs. It is rare that it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:17-28

A series of proverbs connected more or less with peacefulness and its opposite. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 26:17

Proverbs 26:17. He that passeth by Who is going on the way about his business; and meddleth with strife, &c. In which he is not concerned, nor any way obliged to meddle; is like one that taketh a dog by the ears Exposes himself to great and needless hazard, as a man that unnecessarily provoketh a mastiff dog against himself. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-28

Fools and troublemakers (26:1-28)Only a fool honours a fool, and only a fool curses another without cause. Such a curse cannot come true (26:1-2). People with wisdom know on which occasions to ignore a fool and on which occasions to answer him (3-5). Fools cannot be trusted. For them, proverbs are as useless as paralysed legs, and honour is as useless as a stone tied to the sling that is supposed to throw it out (6-8). Fools with a little knowledge can be dangerous. As employees, they can... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 26:17

meddleth = vexeth himself. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 26:17

"He that passeth by, and vexes himself with strife not belonging to him, Is like someone that taketh a dog by the ears."There is no Christian virtue any higher than that of refraining from meddling with other men's quarrels. If one wonders what it is like to take a dog by the ears, he should try it once. He will never try it again! It is the sure way to be bitten by the dog. There might be an exception to this in a small lap dog; but, "The dog in Palestine was not a domesticated animal; and to... read more

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