Proverbs 26:17 - Similitudes and Instructions

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Context

Similitudes and Instructions
…16The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. 17Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. 18Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,…

Cross References

1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.1 Peter 4:15
Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.2 Thessalonians 3:11
For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies.1 Timothy 5:13
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.Matthew 7:1-5
“Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. / Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? ...Luke 12:13-14
Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” / But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?”Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.1 Corinthians 10:15-16
I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say. / Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?1 Corinthians 11:16
If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.2 Timothy 2:23
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.James 4:11-12
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. / There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?1 Corinthians 6:1-8
If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ...Galatians 5:15
But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.Philippians 2:14
Do everything without complaining or arguing,

Proverbs 17:11
An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

Proverbs 18:6
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Proverbs 20:3
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

meddleth or is enraged

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Proverbs 26

Like one who grabs a dog by the ears
This phrase uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate the danger and foolishness of interfering in matters that do not concern us. In ancient times, dogs were not typically domesticated pets as they are today; they were often wild or semi-wild animals. Grabbing a dog by the ears would provoke an aggressive response, putting the person at risk of being bitten. This imagery underscores the peril of unwarranted involvement in conflicts. The Bible often uses animals to convey lessons, as seen in Proverbs 17:12, which warns against meeting a fool in his folly.

is a passerby
The term "passerby" suggests someone who is not directly involved or invested in the situation. This highlights the idea of an outsider who lacks the necessary context or relationship to intervene wisely. In biblical times, community and familial ties were strong, and outsiders were often viewed with suspicion. The concept of a passerby meddling in affairs is akin to a stranger intruding into a close-knit community's issues, which could lead to misunderstanding and conflict.

who meddles in a quarrel not his own
Meddling in disputes that do not concern us is portrayed as unwise and potentially harmful. The Bible frequently advises against unnecessary involvement in others' conflicts, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, which encourages believers to lead a quiet life and mind their own business. This principle is rooted in the understanding that only those directly involved in a situation have the full context and authority to resolve it. Meddling can exacerbate tensions and lead to unintended consequences, much like the chaos that ensues when grabbing a dog by the ears.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Passerby
This refers to an individual who is not directly involved in a situation or conflict but chooses to intervene or interfere.

2. Dog
In ancient Near Eastern culture, dogs were often seen as wild and potentially dangerous animals, unlike the domesticated pets we know today.

3. Quarrel
A dispute or conflict between two or more parties, which in this context, the passerby is not a part of.

4. Proverbs
A book in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, known for its wisdom literature.

5. Ancient Near East
The cultural and historical context in which the Book of Proverbs was written, influencing its imagery and teachings.

Teaching Points

Avoid Unnecessary Conflict
Just as grabbing a dog by the ears is likely to result in harm, meddling in others' disputes can lead to unnecessary trouble and conflict.

Respect Boundaries
Recognize and respect the boundaries of others' relationships and conflicts. Not every situation requires your input or intervention.

Seek Wisdom Before Acting
Before getting involved in any situation, seek God's wisdom through prayer and discernment to determine if your involvement is necessary or beneficial.

Promote Peace
As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers. Sometimes, the best way to promote peace is by staying out of conflicts that do not concern us.

Reflect on Motives
Consider why you feel compelled to intervene in a situation. Is it out of genuine concern, or is it driven by pride or a desire to control?

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 26What does the Bible say about being nosy?What does the Bible say about minding your business?What does the Bible say about minding your business?Proverbs 26:11: Does comparing a fool to a dog returning to its vomit present a historical or cultural context that might clash with more compassionate teachings elsewhere?

(17) Meddleth with strife.--Rather, that is excited with strife. If quarrelling and taking revenge on our own account are forbidden (Romans 12:18-19), how much more is the mixing up of ourselves in the disputes of other persons.

Like one that taketh a dog by the ears.--Who deserves to be bitten for his pains, the usual result of interfering in quarrels.

Verses 17-28. - A series of proverbs connected more or less with peacefulness and its opposite. Verse 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 corresponds to the quarrel with which one has nothing to do. The present accentuation does not support this view; otherwise it is suitable and probable. Septuagint, "As he who lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he who sets himself forth as champion in another's cause." Ecclus. 11:9, "Strive not in a matter that concerns thee not." Says a Greek gnome -

Πολυπραγμονεῖν τὰλλότρια μὴ βοῦλου κακά Our English proverb says, "He that intermeddles with all things may go shoe the goslings." The Telugu compares such interference to a monkey holding a snake in his paw; it is hard to hold, dangerous to let go (Lane). Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Like one who grabs
מַחֲזִ֥יק (ma·ḥă·zîq)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

a dog
כָ֑לֶב (ḵā·leḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3611: A dog, a male prostitute

by the ears
בְּאָזְנֵי־ (bə·’ā·zə·nê-)
Preposition-b | Noun - fdc
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

is a passer-by
עֹבֵ֥ר (‘ō·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

who meddles
מִ֝תְעַבֵּ֗ר (miṯ·‘ab·bêr)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a quarrel
רִ֥יב (rîḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute

not his own.
לֹּֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

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Proverbs 26:17 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears (Prov. Pro Pr)