Proverbs 17:14

Geneva Bible (1560)

The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

פּוֹטֵר מַיִם רֵאשִׁית מָדוֹן וְלִפְנֵי הִתְגַּלַּע הָרִיב נְטוֹשׁ

Transliteration

pôṭēr mayim rē'šît mādôn wə-lipnê hitgalla' hārîb nəṭôš

Grammar Details

• *pôṭēr*: participle, Qal - letting out/releasing
• *mayim*: noun, masculine plural - water
• *rē'šît*: noun, feminine singular construct - beginning of
• *mādôn*: noun, masculine singular - strife/dispute
• *wə-lipnê*: conjunction + preposition + construct form - and before
• *hitgalla'*: verb, Hithpael infinitive construct - being revealed/breaking out
• *hārîb*: definite article + noun, masculine singular - the dispute
• *nəṭôš*: verb, Qal imperative, masculine singular - leave/abandon

Word Meanings

• *pôṭēr*: letting out/releasing/setting free
• *mayim*: water/waters
• *rē'šît*: beginning/first/start
• *mādôn*: strife/contention/dispute
• *lipnê*: before/ahead of
• *hitgalla'*: being revealed/breaking out/erupting
• *rîb*: dispute/quarrel/legal case
• *nəṭôš*: leave/abandon/drop

Referenced Verses

• Prov 20:3 : 3 It is a mans honour to cease from strife: but euery foole will be medling.
• Prov 25:8 : 8 Goe not foorth hastily to strife, least thou know not what to doe in the ende thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
• 1 Thess 4:11 : 11 And that ye studie to be quiet, & to meddle with your owne busines, and to worke with your owne handes, as we commaunded you,
• Jas 3:14-18 : 14 But if ye haue bitter enuying and strife in your hearts, reioyce not, neither be liars against the trueth. 15 This wisedome descendeth not from aboue, but is earthly, sensuall, and deuilish. 16 For where enuying and strife is, there is sedition, and all maner of euill workes. 17 But the wisedome that is from aboue, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easie to be intreated, full of mercie & good fruites, without iudging, and without hipocrisie. 18 And the fruite of righteousnesse is sowen in peace, of them that make peace.
• 2 Tim 2:23-24 : 23 And put away foolish and vnlearned questions, knowing that they ingender strife. 24 But the seruant of ye Lord must not striue, but must be gentle toward all men, apt to teache, suffering the euill,
• Prov 26:21 : 21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, & wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
• Prov 29:22 : 22 An angrie man stirreth vp strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
• Eccl 7:8-9 : 8 (7:10) The ende of a thing is better then the beginning thereof, and the pacient in spirit is better then the proude in spirit. 9 (7:11) Be not thou of an hastie spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles.
• Matt 5:39-41 : 39 But I say vnto you, Resist not euill: but whosoeuer shall smite thee on thy right cheeke, turne to him the other also. 40 And if any man wil sue thee at the law, and take away thy coate, let him haue thy cloke also. 41 And whosoeuer will compell thee to goe a mile, goe with him twaine.
• Acts 6:1-5 : 1 And in those dayes, as the nomber of ye disciples grewe, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians towards ye Hebrewes, because their widowes were neglected in the dayly ministring. 2 Then the twelue called the multitude of the disciples together, and sayd, It is not meete that we should leaue the worde of God to serue the tables. 3 Wherefore brethren, looke ye out among you seuen men of honest report, and full of the holy Ghost, and of wisedome, which we may appoint to this busines. 4 And we will giue our selues continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the worde. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Steuen a man full of fayth and of the holy Ghost, and Philippe, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a Proselyte of Antiochia,
• Acts 15:2-9 : 2 And when there was great dissension, and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordeyned that Paul and Barnabas, and certaine other of them, should goe vp to Hierusalem vnto the Apostles and Elders about this question. 3 Thus being brought forth by ye Church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conuersion of the Gentiles, and they brought great ioy vnto all the brethren. 4 And when they were come to Hierusalem, they were receiued of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, and they declared what things God had done by them. 5 But said they, certaine of the sect of the Pharises, which did beleeue, rose vp, saying, that it was needefull to circumcise them, and to commaunde them to keepe the lawe of Moses. 6 Then the Apostles and Elders came together to looke to this matter. 7 And when there had bene great disputation, Peter rose vp, and said vnto them, Ye men and brethren, ye know that a good while ago, among vs God chose out me, that the Gentiles by my mouth should heare the worde of the Gospel, and beleeue. 8 And God which knoweth the heartes, bare them witnesse, in giuing vnto them ye holy Ghost euen as he did vnto vs. 9 And he put no difference betweene vs and them, after that by faith he had purified their heartes. 10 Nowe therefore, why tempt ye God, to lay a yoke on the disciples neckes, which neither our fathers, nor we were able to beare? 11 But we beleeue, through the grace of the Lord Iesus Christ to be saued, euen as they doe. 12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and heard Barnabas and Paul, which told what signes and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them. 13 And when they helde their peace, Iames answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken vnto me. 14 Simeon hath declared, howe God first did visite the Gentiles, to take of them a people vnto his Name. 15 And to this agree the woordes of the Prophets, as it is written, 16 After this I will returne, and will builde againe the tabernacle of Dauid, which is fallen downe, and the ruines thereof will I build againe, and I will set it vp, 17 That the residue of men might seeke after the Lorde, and all the Gentiles vpon whom my Name is called, saith the Lorde which doeth all these things. 18 From the beginning of the worlde, God knoweth all his workes. 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God, 20 But that we send vnto them, that they absteine themselues from filthinesse of idoles, and fornication, and that that is strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of olde time hath in euery citie them that preache him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues euery Sabbath day.
• Rom 12:18 : 18 If it bee possible, as much as in you is, haue peace with all men.
• Gen 13:8-9 : 8 Then saide Abram vnto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, betweene thee and me, neither betweene mine heardmen & thine heardmen: for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? depart I pray thee from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will goe to the right: or if thou goe to the right hand, then I will take the left.
• Judg 8:1-3 : 1 Then the men of Ephraim sayde vnto him, Why hast thou serued vs thus that thou calledst vs not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? and they chode with him sharply. 2 To whom he said, What haue I now done in comparison of you? is not the gleaning of grapes of Ephraim better, then the vintage of Abiezer? 3 God hath deliuered into your handes the princes of Midian, Oreb & Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? & when he had thus spoken, then their spirits abated toward him.
• Judg 12:1-6 : 1 And the me of Ephraim gathered themselues together, and went Northwarde, and saide vnto Iphtah, Wherefore wentest thou to fight against the children of Ammon, and diddest not call vs to goe with thee? we will therefore burne thine house vpon thee with fire. 2 And Iphtah said vnto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon, and when I called you, ye deliuered me not out of their handes. 3 So when I sawe that ye deliuered me not, I put my life in mine hands, and went vpon the children of Ammon: so the Lord deliuered them into mine handes. Wherefore then are ye come vpon me nowe to fight against me? 4 Then Iphtah gathered all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are runnagates of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites. 5 Also the Gileadites tooke the passages of Iorden before the Ephraimites, and when the Ephraimites that were escaped, saide, Let me passe, then the men of Gilead said vnto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay, 6 Then said they vnto him, Say nowe Shibboleth: and he said, Sibboleth: for he could not so pronounce: then they tooke him, and slewe him at the passages of Iorden: & there fel at that time of the Ephraimites two & fourtie thousand.
• 2 Sam 2:14-17 : 14 Then Abner saide to Ioab, Let the yong men nowe arise, and play before vs; Ioab said, Let them arise. 15 Then there arose and went ouer twelue of Beniamin by number, which perteined to Ish-bosheth the sonne of Saul, and twelue of the seruants of Dauid. 16 And euery one caught his fellowe by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellowes side, so they fell downe together: wherefore ye place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon. 17 And the battel was exceeding sore that same day: for Abner and the men of Israel fell before the seruants of Dauid.
• 2 Sam 19:41-20:22 : 41 And behold, all the men of Israel came to the King, and sayd vnto the King, Why haue our brethren the men of Iudah stollen thee away, & haue brought the King and his houshold, and all Dauids men with him ouer Iorden? 42 And all the men of Iudah answered the men of Israel, Because the King is neere of kin to vs: and wherefore now be ye angry for this matter? Haue we eaten of the Kings cost, or haue wee taken any bribes? 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Iudah, and saide, Wee haue ten partes in the King, and haue also more right to Dauid then ye: Why then did ye despise vs, that our aduise should not bee first had in restoring our King? And the wordes of the men of Iudah were fiercer then the wordes of the men of Israel. 1 Then there was come thither a wicked man (named Sheba the sonne of Bichri, a man of Iemini) and hee blew the trumpet, and saide, Wee haue no part in Dauid, neither haue we inheritance in the sonne of Ishai: euery man to his tents, O Israel. 2 So euery man of Israel went from Dauid & followed Sheba the sonne of Bichri: but the men of Iudah claue fast vnto their King, from Iorden euen to Ierusalem. 3 When Dauid then came to his house to Ierusalem, the King tooke the ten women his concubines, that hee had left behinde him to keepe the house, and put them in warde, and fed them, but lay no more with them: but they were enclosed vnto the day of their death, liuing in widowhode. 4 Then sayde the King to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Iudah within three dayes, and be thou here present. 5 So Amasa went to assemble Iudah, but hee taried longer then the time which he had appoynted him. 6 Then Dauid sayd to Abishai, Now shal Sheba the sonne of Bichri doe vs more harme then did Absalom: take thou therefore thy lords seruants and followe after him, lest he get him walled cities, and escape vs. 7 And there went out after him Ioabs men, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mightie men: and they departed out of Ierusalem, to followe after Sheba the sonne of Bichri. 8 When they were at the great stone, which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them, and Ioabs garment, that hee had put on, was girded vnto him, and vpon it was a sword girded, which hanged on his loynes in the sheath, and as hee went, it vsed to fall out. 9 And Ioab sayde to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? & Ioab tooke Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kisse him. 10 But Amasa tooke no heede to the sworde that was in Ioabs hande: for therewith he smote him in the fift rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and smote him not the second time: so he dyed. then Ioab and Abishai his brother followed after Sheba the sonne of Bichri. 11 And one of Ioabs men stoode by him, & saide, He that fauoureth Ioab, and hee that is of Dauids part, let him go after Ioab. 12 And Amasa wallowed in blood in the mids of the way: and when the man sawe that all the people stood still, he remooued Amasa out of the way into the fielde, and cast a cloth vpon him, because he saw that euery one that came by him, stoode still. 13 When hee was remoued out of the way, euerie man went after Ioab, to followe after Sheba the sonne of Bichri. 14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel vnto Abel, and Bethmaachah and all places of Berim: and they gathered together, and went also after him. 15 So they came, and besieged him in Abel, neere to Bethmaachah: and they cast vp a mount against the citie, and the people thereof stood on the ramper, and al the people that was with Ioab, destroyed and cast downe the wall. 16 Then cried a wise woman out of the citie, Heare, heare, I pray you, say vnto Ioab, Come thou hither, that I may speake with thee. 17 And when hee came neere vnto her, the woma said, Art thou Ioab? And he answered, Yea; she said to him, Heare the wordes of thine handmaid; he answered, I do heare. 18 Then shee spake thus, They spake in the olde time, saying, They shoulde aske of Abel; so haue they continued. 19 I am one of them, that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: and thou goest about to destroy a citie, and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou deuoure the inheritance of the Lorde? 20 And Ioab answered, & said, God forbid, God forbid it me, that I should deuoure, or destroy it. 21 The matter is not so, but a man of mout Ephraim (Sheba ye sonne of Bichri by name) hath lift vp his had against ye King, euen against Dauid: deliuer vs him onely, and I will depart from the citie; the woman saide vnto Ioab, Beholde, his head shalbe throwen to thee ouer the wall. 22 Then the woman went vnto all the people with her wisedome, and they cut off the head of Sheba the sonne of Bichri, and cast it to Ioab: the he blewe the trumpet, and they retired from the citie, euery man to his tent: and Ioab returned to Ierusalem vnto the King.
• 2 Chr 10:14-16 : 14 And spake to them after ye counsell of the yong men, saying, My father made your yoke grieuous, but I wil incease it: my father chastised you with rods, but I will correct you with scourges. 15 So the king hearkened not vnto the people: for it was the ordinance of God that the Lorde might performe his saying, which hee had spoken by Ahiiah the Shilonite to Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat. 16 So when all Isarael sawe that the King would not heare them, the people answered the King, saying, What portion haue we in Dauid? for we haue none inheritance in the sonue of Ishai. O Israel, euery man to your tents: now see to thine owne house, Dauid. So all Israel departed to their tents.
• 2 Chr 13:17 : 17 And Abiiah and his people slewe a great slaughter of them, so that there fel downe wounded of Israel fiue hundreth thousand chosen men.
• 2 Chr 25:17-24 : 17 Then Amaziah King of Iudah tooke counsell, and sent to Ioash the sonne of Iehoahaz, the sonne of Iehu King of Israel, saying, Come, let vs see one another in the face. 18 But Ioash King of Israel sent to Amaziah King of Iudah, saying, The thistle that is in Lebanon, sent to the cedar that is in Lebanon, saying, Giue thy daughter to my sonne to wife: and the wilde beast that was in Lebanon went and trode downe the thistle. 19 Thou thinkest: lo, thou hast smitten Edom, and thine heart lifteth thee vp to bragge: abide now at home: why doest thou prouoke to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, and Iudah with thee? 20 But Amaziah would not heare: for it was of God, that he might deliuer them into his had, because they had sought the gods of Edom. 21 So Ioash the King of Israel went vp: and he, and Amaziah King of Iudah saw one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which is in Iudah. 22 And Iudah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled euery man to his tents. 23 But Ioash the King of Israel tooke Amaziah King of Iudah, the sonne of Ioash, the sonne of Iehoahaz in Bethshemesh, and brought him to Ierusalem, and brake downe the wall of Ierusalem, from the gate of Ephraim vnto the corner gate, foure hundreth cubites. 24 And he tooke all the gold and the siluer, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed Edom, and in the treasures of the Kings house, and the children that were in hostage, and returned to Samaria.
• 2 Chr 28:6 : 6 For Pekah the sonne of Remaliah slewe in Iudah sixe score thousand in one day, all valiant men, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.
• Prov 13:10 : 10 Onely by pride doeth man make contention: but with the well aduised is wisdome.
• Prov 14:29 : 29 He that is slowe to wrath, is of great wisdome: but he that is of an hastie minde, exalteth follie.
• Prov 15:1 : 1 A soft answere putteth away wrath: but grieuous wordes stirre vp anger.
• Prov 16:32 : 32 He that is slowe vnto anger, is better then the mightie man: and hee that ruleth his owne minde, is better then he that winneth a citie.
• Prov 17:19 : 19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.
• Prov 19:11 : 11 The discretion of man deferreth his anger: and his glory is to passe by an offence.