Proverbs 18:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:16

Of what great force gifts (that is, bribes) are he had intimated before, Prov. 17:8, 23. Here he shows the power of gifts, that is, presents made even by inferiors to those that are above them and have much more than they have. A good present will go far, 1. Towards a man's liberty: A man's gift, if he be in prison, may procure his enlargement; there are courtiers, who, if they use their interest even for oppressed innocency, expect to receive a gratuity for it. Or, if a mean man know not how... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:16

A man's gift maketh room for him ,.... Or "enlarges him" F25 ירחיב . ; 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 for a favourable hearing of his cause; or it enlarges his acquaintance, and gains him respect among men; and bringeth him before great men ; it opens a way for him into the presence and company of great men, being a fee to their servants; or with it he procures a place to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:16

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 favor, 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 hominesquedeosque; Placatur donis... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:10-16

Some conditions of weal and woe I. CONSTITUTIONS OF LIFE WEAL . 1 . First and foremost, religion ( Proverbs 18:10 ) and humility ( Proverbs 18:12 ). The Name of Jehovah stands for all that God is (the "I am"). Trust in the Eternal is the real ground of confidence for a creature so transient and frail as man. To put the same truth in another way, it is religious principle which can alone sustain the soul calm and erect amidst distress. And with true religion is ever... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:16

A man's gift maketh room for him (comp. Proverbs 19:6 ). Mattam, "gift," has been taken in different senses. Some consider it to mean a bribe offered for underhand or fraudulent purposes; but the context does not lead to this conclusion, and the parallel passage mentioned above makes against it. Hitzig sees in it a spiritual gift, equivalent to χάρισμα ; but such a meaning is not elsewhere attached to the word. The term here signifies the present which duty or friendship offers to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 18:16

Proverbs 18:16. A man’s gift maketh room for him Procures him free access to great men. Hebrew, ירחיב לו , enlargeth him, as this very phrase is rendered Psalms 4:1, and elsewhere; freeth him from straits and oppressions; and bringeth him before great men Procures him favour and free conversation with them. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:1-24

Real strength (18:1-24)When people become too confident in their own opinions, they are liable to break away from former friends. They become unreasonable in discussion and blind to the viewpoints of others. Those who despise others will themselves be disgraced (18:1-3). The words of the wise bring refreshment, but those of a fool or a gossip bring destruction (4-8).Those who leave work undone are almost as bad as those who wreck what already has been done (9). Those who trust in God know they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 18:16

man's. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:16

"A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men."Toy denied that there is any reference to a bribe here. What is meant is that gifts from benevolent people (such as a philanthropist) are effective in bringing many honors to the giver. "He thus has a free field, access,"[19] not only to `great men' but to respected institutions in society. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 18:16

16. (Compare Proverbs 17:8; Proverbs 17:23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied. read more

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