A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Parallel translations
- WEB A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- BSB A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
- NKJV A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- NASB A person of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- NLT There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
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
Many companions can lead to ruin, but a true friend is more loyal than a brother. Genuine, faithful friendship outweighs a crowd of acquaintances.
Overview
This proverb contrasts a multitude of shallow companions, which may bring a man to ruin, with the rare friend who sticks closer than a brother. It prizes faithful, committed friendship over numerous loose ties. Christians have long seen here a foreshadowing of Christ, the friend who lays down His life for His own (John 15:13-15) and remains closer and more faithful than any earthly bond.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Prov 17:17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
- John 15:13–15Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
- Prov 27:9Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
- 2 Sam 1:26I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
- 2 Sam 9:1–13And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
- 1 Sam 19:4–5And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:
- 2 Sam 21:7But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
- 2 Sam 16:17And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
- Matt 26:49–50And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
- 1 Chr 12:38–40All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
- 2 Sam 17:27–29And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
- 2 Sam 19:30–39And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
- 1 Sam 30:26–31And when David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil unto the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of the LORD;
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 18:24 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.