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Proverbs 17:17
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Proverbs 17:17
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
17 A friend loves at all times,
and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.
Proverbs 17:17
New English Translation
Proverbs 17:17
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:17 sn The verse uses synonymous parallelism, so “friend” and “relative” are equated. Others, however, will take the verse with antithetical parallelism: W. G. Plaut argues that friendship is a spiritual relationship whereas a brother’s ties are based on a blood relationship—often adversity is the only thing that brings brothers together (Proverbs, 189).
- Proverbs 17:17 tn Heb “a brother.”
- Proverbs 17:17 tn Heb “is born for adversity.” This is not referring to sibling rivalry but to the loyalty a brother shows during times of calamity. This is not to say that a brother only shows loyalty when there is trouble, nor that he always does in these times (e.g., 18:19, 24; 19:7; 27:10). The true friend is the same as a brotherly relation—in times of greatest need the loyal love is displayed.
Proverbs 17:22
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Proverbs 17:22
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine,
but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
New English Translation
Proverbs 17:22
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:22 sn Heb “a heart of rejoicing”; KJV “a merry heart”; NAB, NASB “a joyful heart.” This attributive genitive refers to the mind or psyche. A happy and healthy outlook on life brings healing.
- Proverbs 17:22 tc The word “healing” is a hapax legomenon; some have suggested changes, such as to Arabic jihatu (“face”) or to גְּוִיָּה (geviyyah, “body”) as in the Syriac and Tg. Prov 17:22, but the MT makes sense as it is and should be retained. tn Heb “it causes good a healing.” This means it promotes healing.
- Proverbs 17:22 sn The “crushed spirit” refers to one who is depressed (cf. NAB “a depressed spirit”). “Crushed” is figurative (an implied comparison) for the idea that one’s psyche or will to go on is beaten down by circumstances.
- Proverbs 17:22 sn The “bones” figuratively represent the whole body encased in a boney framework (metonymy of subject). “Fat bones” in scripture means a healthy body (3:8; 15:30; 16:24), but “dried up” bones signify unhealthiness and lifelessness (cf. Ezek 37:1-4).
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New English Translation (NET)
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