Proverbs 17:2
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17:2A servant who acts wisely4 will rule
over5 an heir6 who behaves shamefully,7
and will share the inheritance along with the relatives.8
Footnotes
- 4 The setting is in the ancient world where a servant rarely advanced beyond his or her station in life. But there are notable exceptions (e.g., Gen 15:3 where the possibility is mentioned, 1 Chr 2:35 where it changed through marriage, and 2 Sam 16:1–4; 19:24–30, with the story of Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth). This proverb focuses on a servant who is wise, one who uses all his abilities effectively—a Joseph figure.
- 5 The parallelism indicates that “ruling over” and “sharing in the inheritance” means that the disgraceful son will be disinherited.
- 6 Heb “son.”
- 7 The form מֵבִישׁ (mevish) is a Hiphil participle, modifying בֵן (ben). This original heir would then be one who caused shame or disgrace to the family, probably by showing a complete lack of wisdom in the choices he made.
- 8 Heb “in the midst of the brothers”; “as one of the brothers.”
The NET Bible First Edition, Copyright 1996-2005 by Biblical Studies Press
In other versions
ESVEnglish Standard Version
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully
and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles
NIVNew International Version (2011)
A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance as one of the family.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.
CSBChristian Standard Bible
A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
and share an inheritance among brothers.
Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
NLTNew Living Translation
A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
LEBThe Lexham English Bible
A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully,
and in the midst of brothers he will share his inheritance.
Copyright 2012 Lexham Press
KJV 1900King James Version
A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame,
And shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
Public Domain