A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; wherever he turns, he prospers.
Parallel translations
- KJV A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
- BSB A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
- NKJV A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
- NASB A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
- NLT A bribe is like a lucky charm; whoever gives one will prosper!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A bribe seems like a magic charm to the one who offers it, appearing to guarantee success. It matters because the proverb candidly describes, without endorsing, how bribery tempts and deceives.
Overview
This proverb observes how a bribe looks like a precious, effective stone in the eyes of the giver, seeming to ensure prosperity wherever he turns. Read as a sober description rather than approval, it exposes the seductive logic of corruption. Proverbs elsewhere plainly condemns bribery and the perversion of justice (Proverbs 17:23; Exodus 23:8).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Exod 23:8“You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous.
- Mic 7:3Their hands are on that which is evil to do it diligently. The ruler and judge ask for a bribe; and the powerful man dictates the evil desire of his soul. Thus they conspire together.
- Deut 16:19You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality. You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.
- Prov 21:14A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
- Prov 17:23A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, to pervert the ways of justice.
- Amos 5:12For I know how many your offenses, and how great are your sins — you who afflict the just, who take a bribe, and who turn aside the needy in the courts.
- Isa 1:23Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They don’t judge the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.
- 1 Sam 25:35So David received from her hand that which she had brought him. Then he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. Behold, I have listened to your voice, and have granted your request.”
- Gen 43:11Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
- Gen 33:9–11Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; let that which you have be yours.”
- 2 Sam 16:1–4When David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
- Ps 29:4Yahweh’s voice is powerful. Yahweh’s voice is full of majesty.
- Ps 19:6His going out is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends; There is nothing hidden from its heat.
- Ps 18:16He sent from on high. He took me. He drew me out of many waters.
- Ps 21:13Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength, so we will sing and praise your power.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 17:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.