Proverbs Chapter 17 verse 8 Holy Bible
A bribe is `as' a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it; Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
read chapter 17 in ASV
An offering of money is like a stone of great price in the eyes of him who has it: wherever he goes, he does well.
read chapter 17 in BBE
A gift is a precious stone in the eyes of the possessor: whithersoever it turneth it prospereth.
read chapter 17 in DARBY
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
read chapter 17 in KJV
read chapter 17 in WBT
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
read chapter 17 in WEB
A stone of grace `is' the bribe in the eyes of its possessors, Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
read chapter 17 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 8. - There is a breath of satire in this verse. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it. "A precious stone" is literally "a stone of grace" (Proverbs 1:9). The gnome expresses the idea that a bribe is like a bright jewel that dazzles the sight and affects the mind of him who receives it (see on Proverbs 15:27; comp. Deuteronomy 16:19; 1 Samuel 12:3). Ovid, 'Art. Amat.,' 3:653 - "Munera, crede mihi, capiunt hominesque deosque;Placatur donis Jupiter ipse datis." It is possible that the gnome may have a more general application, and apply to gifts given to appease anger or to prove friendship (Proverbs 19:6; Proverbs 21:14). Septuagint, "A reward of graces is discipline to those who use it;" i.e. moral discipline brings an ample reward of graces to those who practise it. Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. The Authorized Version refers these words to the gift. Delitzsch points out that the words are more properly taken of the person who receives the gift, so that they should be rendered, "Wheresoever he turneth himself he dealeth wisely." Inflamed by sordid hopes and the love of gain, he acts with all possible skill and prudence in order to work out his wages and show that he was rightly selected to receive the present. The verse merely states a common trait among unscrupulous men, and pronounces no judgment upon it.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(8) A gift is as a precious stone . . .--A description of the influence of bribery:--A bribe is as a jewel in the eyes of him that receives it; whithersoever he turns he prospers: all his energies are called out by the prospect of gain, so that he carries out successfully all that he sets his hand to. The constant warnings against this form of corruption, from the time of Moses (Exodus 23:8) to that of the prophets (Amos 5:12; Isaiah 1:23, &c), show the prevalence of the evil in Israel.
