Proverbs 18:16

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

מַתָּ֣ן אָ֭דָם יַרְחִ֣יב ל֑וֹ וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְדֹלִ֣ים יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃

Transliteration

mattān ʾāḏām yarḥîḇ for-him and-before ḡəḏōlîm yanḥennû

Grammar Details

*mattān*: noun, masculine singular - gift/present
*ʾāḏām*: noun, masculine singular - man/person/humanity
*yarḥîḇ*: verb, hiphil imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - makes room/gives space
*ḡəḏōlîm*: adjective, masculine plural - great ones/important people
*yanḥennû*: verb, hiphil imperfect, 3rd masculine singular with 3rd masculine singular suffix - leads him/brings him

Word Meanings

*mattān*: gift/present/offering
*ʾāḏām*: man/person/humanity/mankind
*yarḥîḇ*: makes room/gives space/enlarges/opens up
*ḡəḏōlîm*: great ones/important people/nobles
*yanḥennû*: leads him/brings him/guides him

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

🔄 Compare with

ESVNIVCSBNLTNASBNET

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Gen 32:20 : 20 and ye shall say, Moreover, behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept me.
1 Sam 25:27 : 27 And now this present which thy servant hath brought unto my lord, let it be given unto the young men that follow my lord.
Prov 17:8 : 8 A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Gen 43:11 : 11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it be so now, do this: take of the choice fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spicery and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
Gen 33:10 : 10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found favor in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand; forasmuch as I have seen thy face, as one seeth the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
Prov 19:6 : 6 Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Prov 21:14 : 14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 19:6
77%
6Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Prov 18:15
76%
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Prov 18:17
76%
17He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
Prov 17:8
75%
8A bribe is [as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
Prov 22:29
73%
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.
Prov 12:8
71%
8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom; But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
Prov 3:4
71%
4So shalt thou find favor and good understanding In the sight of God and man.
Prov 17:23
71%
23A wicked man receiveth a bribe out of the bosom, To pervert the ways of justice.
Prov 12:14
71%
14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth; And the doings of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
Prov 28:11
71%
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
Prov 16:7-9
3 verses
71%
7When a man's ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.
9A man's heart deviseth his way; But Jehovah directeth his steps.
Prov 1:5
71%
5That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
Prov 25:6-7
2 verses
71%
6Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men:
7For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen.
Prov 18:23-24
2 verses
70%
23The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24He that maketh many friends [doeth it] to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Ps 112:5
70%
5Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth; He shall maintain his cause in judgment.
Prov 21:14
70%
14A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
Prov 12:2
70%
2A good man shall obtain favor of Jehovah; But a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
Prov 18:1
70%
1He that separateth himself seeketh [his own] desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
Prov 18:11-12
2 verses
70%
11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor [goeth] humility.
Prov 15:23
70%
23A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
Prov 29:4-5
2 verses
70%
4The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.
5A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps.
Prov 22:1
69%
1A [good] name is rather to be chosen than great riches, [And] loving favor rather than silver and gold.
Prov 17:18
69%
18A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.
Prov 13:15-16
2 verses
69%
15Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard.
16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Prov 29:23
69%
23A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.
Prov 24:4-5
2 verses
69%
4And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
5A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might.
Prov 19:4
69%
4Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.
Prov 18:4
69%
4The words of a man's mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
Prov 16:1
69%
1The plans of the heart belong to man; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
Prov 16:20-21
2 verses
68%
20He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Prov 3:13
68%
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.
Prov 11:16
68%
16A gracious woman obtaineth honor; And violent men obtain riches.
Prov 20:5-6
2 verses
68%
5Counsel in the heart of man is [like] deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out.
6Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?
Prov 19:22
68%
22That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar.
Prov 19:8
68%
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
Prov 16:18
68%
18Pride [goeth] before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
2 Chr 1:12
68%
12wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee; neither shall there any after thee have the like.
Prov 13:18
68%
18Poverty and shame [shall be to] him that refuseth correction; But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.
Prov 22:17
68%
17Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, And apply thy heart unto my knowledge.
Eccl 9:16
68%
16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.