Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 17:18

A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

18. understanding ] Lit. heart, as in Pro 17:16.

surety ] See Pro 6:1 note.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Compare the marginal reference. Since nothing is nobler than the self-sacrifice of the true friend Pro 17:17, so nothing is more contemptible than the weakness which allows itself to be sacrificed for the sake of worthless associates.

In the presence of his friend – i. e., On behalf of or to his friend for some third person.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 18. Striketh hands] Striking each other’s hands, or shaking hands, was anciently the form in concluding a contract. See Clarke on Pr 6:1.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Striketh hands, in token of his becoming surety; of which phrase, and of the thing itself, see on Pro 6:1; 11:15. His friend: the friend here is either,

1. Before and to the creditor. Or rather,

2. Before, and with, and for the debtor, for whom, as being his friend, he becomes surety, as the manner of friends is. See on Pro 6:3. And this proverb is fitly placed after that, Pro 17:17, to intimate, that although the laws of friendship oblige us to love and help our friends in trouble as far as we are able, yet they do not oblige us to become surety for them rashly, and above what we are able to pay, for by that means we make ourselves unable to do good either to them, or to others, or to ourselves.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

18. (Compare Pro 6:1-5;Pro 11:15).

in the presence, &c.thatis, he either fails to consult his friend, or to follow his advice.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

A man void of understanding striketh hands,…. With his friend’s creditor, and becomes surety for him; and thereby acts a very unwise part, and shows himself to want understanding, by taking such a step, which may prove the ruin of himself and family: for though a man may and should love his friend at all times; yet he is not obliged, under a notion of friendship, to injure himself and his family, or to run the risk of it; if he does, it is a plain case he wants wisdom and discretion, see Pr 6:1;

[and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend; not the creditor, but the debtor; and to pass his word for him, when he is present, shows that his own word will not be taken; and that he is either thought to be in bad circumstances, and incapable of payment at the proper time; or else that he is a bad man, of dishonest principles, and will not; and in either case it is not advisable to become surety for such a man: and besides, doing it in his presence may make him more careless and unconcerned about making good his payment or contract at the appointed time, when he knows his friend is engaged him.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

      18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

      Though Solomon had commended friendship in adversity (v. 17), yet let not any, under pretence of being generous to their friends, be unjust to their families and wrong them; one part of our duty must be made to consist with another. Note, 1. It is a piece of wisdom to keep out of debt as much as may be, especially to dread suretiship. There may be a just occasion for a man to pass his word for his friend in his absence, till he come to engage himself; but to be surety in the presence of his friend, when he is upon the spot, supposes that his own word will not be taken, he being deemed insolvent or dishonest, and then who can with safety pass his word for him? 2. Those that are void of understanding are commonly taken in this snare, to the prejudice of their families, and therefore ought not to be trusted too far with their own affairs, but to be under direction.

Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

The Peril of Surety

Verse 18-See Pro 6:1-5; Pro 11:15; Pro 22:26.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

(18) In the presence of his friend.Or, With his neighbour. (For the same warning, comp. Pro. 6:1, sqq.)

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

18. Striketh hands Becomes surety. (See note on Pro 6:13; Pro 11:15)

In the presence of his friend That is, in behalf of, or to, his friends for some third person. Thus the Speaker’s Commentary, which thinks the reappearance of this warning is suggested by the previous verse.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

v. 18. A man void of understanding, lacking in common sense, striketh hands, pledging himself and his goods foolishly, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. cf Pro 6:1-5; Pro 11:15.

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

It is very sweet to remark in these Proverbs what a striking contrast the wise man is perpetually drawing, between the wisdom which is from above, and the folly which is from beneath. And by thus putting both in their different shades of colouring, surely he hath adopted the most effectual method of answering the plan of teaching, by such a way as a proverb is calculated to accomplish in carrying conviction to the mind of the blessedness of the one and the sure ruin of the other; and as he saith elsewhere, while the wise shall inherit glory, shame must be the promotion of fools. Pro 3:35 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Pro 17:18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

Ver. 18. A man void of understanding striketh hands. ] Of the folly and misery of rash suretyship, see Pro 6:1-3 See Trapp on “ Pro 6:1 “ See Trapp on “ Pro 6:2 “ See Trapp on “ Pro 6:3 “

In the presence of his friend. ] Or, Before his friend; that is, before his friend do it, who was better able, and more obliged. Thus like a woodcock he puts his neck into the gin, his foot into the stocks as the drunkard; and then hath time enough to come in with the fool’s “Had I wist,” and to say, as the lion did when taken in the toil, Si praescivissem: If I had foreseen this. But why should there he among men any such Epimetheus, such a post master, an after wit?

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

man. Hebrew. ‘adam. App-14.

understanding. Hebrew “heart”, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the understanding in it. See note on Pro 1:2.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Pro 17:18

Pro 17:18

“A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.”

See comment on Pro 6:1 ff. Proverbs gives very stern and persistent warnings against becoming another man’s guarantee or surety.

Pro 17:18. Clarke: Striking each others hands, or shaking hands, was anciently the form in concluding a contract. This was just as binding as our signing our names to a contract today. Surety was when one obligated himself for the debts of others. Proverbs gives strong warnings against this (Pro 6:1-2; Pro 11:15).

Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary

void: Pro 6:1-5, Pro 11:15, Pro 20:16, Pro 22:16, Pro 22:27

understanding: Heb. heart

Reciprocal: Gen 43:11 – carry down Job 17:3 – strike Psa 112:5 – he will Pro 22:26 – General

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Pro 17:18. A man, &c., striketh hands In token of his becoming surety; of which phrase, and the thing intended by it, see notes on Pro 6:1; Pro 11:15. This proverb is fitly placed after that in Pro 17:17, to intimate that although the laws of friendship oblige us to love and help our friends in trouble as far as we are able, yet they do not oblige us to become surety for them rashly, and above what we are able to pay, for by that means we should make ourselves unable to do good, either to them, or to others, or to ourselves.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

17:18 A man void of understanding {i} striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

(i) Read Pro 6:1.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes