Proverbs 15:17 - A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

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Context

A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
…16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. 17Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.…

Cross References

1 Corinthians 13:3
If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.Romans 12:9-10
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. / Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Luke 12:15
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”Philippians 4:11-12
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.1 Timothy 6:6-8
Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. / For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?1 Peter 4:8-9
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. / Show hospitality to one another without complaining.Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.Psalm 37:16
Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.Proverbs 17:1
Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.Proverbs 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

Proverbs 17:1
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Proverbs 21:19
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Psalm 133:1
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

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Proverbs 15

Better a dish of vegetables where there is love
This phrase emphasizes the value of love and harmony over material wealth and abundance. In ancient Israel, a "dish of vegetables" would have been considered a simple, modest meal, often associated with the poor. Vegetables were readily available and did not require the resources needed to raise livestock. The emphasis here is on the quality of relationships rather than the quantity of possessions. This aligns with the biblical theme that love and peace are more valuable than riches, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13:3, where love is prioritized over all other virtues. The simplicity of a vegetable meal symbolizes contentment and satisfaction found in loving relationships, echoing the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34 about not worrying over material needs.

than a fattened ox with hatred
In contrast, a "fattened ox" represents wealth, luxury, and abundance. In ancient times, serving a fattened ox was a sign of prosperity and was often reserved for special occasions or feasts. However, the presence of "hatred" negates the joy and satisfaction that such abundance might bring. This reflects the biblical principle that discord and animosity can ruin even the most lavish circumstances, as seen in James 3:16, where envy and selfish ambition lead to disorder. The proverb underscores the futility of wealth without love, echoing Jesus' teaching in Matthew 16:26 about the worthlessness of gaining the world but losing one's soul. The contrast between the two scenarios highlights the biblical truth that spiritual and relational wealth far surpasses material wealth.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Solomon
Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical insights into living a life that honors God.

2. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context of this proverb is ancient Israel, where meals were significant social and familial events, and the type of food served could reflect one's wealth or status.

3. Meals in Ancient Times
Meals were not just about sustenance but were also a time for fellowship and relationship-building. The contrast between a simple meal and a lavish feast highlights the importance of relational harmony over material abundance.

Teaching Points

The Value of Love Over Material Wealth
True contentment and joy come from love and relationships, not from material abundance. Prioritize love in your home and relationships over the pursuit of wealth.

The Danger of Hatred and Strife
A lavish lifestyle cannot compensate for a lack of love. Strife and hatred can destroy the joy that material wealth might bring. Seek peace and reconciliation in your relationships.

Contentment in Simplicity
Embrace simplicity and find contentment in the love and relationships you have. A simple life filled with love is more fulfilling than a life of luxury filled with discord.

The Importance of Relational Harmony
Strive for harmony in your relationships, valuing love and unity over material possessions. This reflects the heart of God and brings true satisfaction.

Verse 17. - Better is a dinner (portion) of herbs where love is. A dish of vegetables would be the common meal, whereas flesh would be reserved for festive occasions. Where love presides, the simplest food is cheerfully received, and contentment and happiness abound (Proverbs 17:1). Lesetre quotes Horace's invitation to his friend Torquatus ('Epist.,' 1:5. 1) -

"Cum dat oluscula menes minuscula pace quieta,
Ne pete grandia lautaque prandia lite repleta." A stalled ox is one taken up out of the pasture and fatted for the table. Thus we read (1 Kings 4:23) that part of Solomon's provision for one day was ten fat oxen and twenty oxen out of the pastures; and the prophets speak of "calves of the stall" (Amos 6:4; Malachi 4:2; comp. Luke 15:23). The fat beef implies a sumptuous and magnificent entertainment; but such a feast is little worth if accompanied with feelings of hatred, jealousy, and ill will. This and the preceding verse emphasize and explain ver. 15. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Better
ט֤וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

a dish
אֲרֻחַ֣ת (’ă·ru·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 737: A meal, allowance

of vegetables
יָ֭רָק (yā·rāq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3419: Green, a vegetable

where
שָׁ֑ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

there is love
וְאַהֲבָה־ (wə·’a·hă·ḇāh-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 160: Love (noun)

than a fattened
אָ֝ב֗וּס (’ā·ḇūs)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 75: To feed, fatten

ox
מִשּׁ֥וֹר (miš·šō·wr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

with hatred.
וְשִׂנְאָה־ (wə·śin·’āh-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8135: Hating, hatred

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Proverbs 15:17 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where (Prov. Pro Pr)