Proverbs 11:15 kjv

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

Proverbs 11:15 nkjv

He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.

Proverbs 11:15 niv

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

Proverbs 11:15 esv

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

Proverbs 11:15 nlt

There's danger in putting up security for a stranger's debt;
it's safer not to guarantee another person's debt.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 15 Meaning

Proverbs 11:15 conveys a clear warning regarding financial commitments and a commendation for prudence. It teaches that one who guarantees the debt or obligation of a stranger—someone unknown or without a familial connection—will certainly suffer the negative consequences, often leading to financial distress or ruin. Conversely, those who wisely despise or avoid such surety arrangements for others will maintain their own security and stability.

Proverbs 11 15 Context

Proverbs chapter 11 primarily focuses on contrasting the righteous and the wicked, illustrating the blessings that come from integrity and the pitfalls of deceit and foolishness. The verse 11:15 is embedded within a series of aphorisms dealing with wealth, financial wisdom, community relationships, and their outcomes. Historically, in ancient Israelite society, financial suretyship—the act of guaranteeing another's debt or promise—was a common but perilous practice, especially in a time before sophisticated banking systems. Debts could easily lead to impoverishment, indentured servitude, or the forfeiture of family land. The counsel in Proverbs addresses the very real socio-economic risks involved. There are no direct polemics here, but it implicitly warns against a casual attitude toward wealth and relationships common in the Near East, which could often be driven by naive trust or misplaced loyalty rather than shrewd discernment. The verse promotes a self-protective wisdom concerning one's household and resources.

Proverbs 11 15 Word analysis

• He that is surety (תָּקַע עֵרֶב, taqa' 'arev):

  • תָּקַע (taqa'): This verb literally means "to clap," "to strike," "to thrust." In this context, it refers to the customary act of striking hands or pledging one's hand (like a handshake) to formalize an agreement or guarantee. It denotes the binding nature of the agreement.
  • עֵרֶב ('arev): Means "pledge," "security," or "guarantee." This is the core concept of suretyship, where one person assumes responsibility for another's obligation, often financial. The phrasing emphasizes taking on this direct, formal responsibility.

• for a stranger (לְזָר, le-zar):

  • זָר (zar): Literally means "stranger," "foreigner," "alien." This is a crucial element. It refers not necessarily to someone from another land, but more importantly, to someone outside one's immediate kinship group or established community of trust. They lack the social network or accountability that a close relative or trusted neighbor would provide, making the risk exponentially higher. The lack of prior knowledge about their character or reliability increases the peril.

• shall smart for it (יֵרַע, yera', or in some texts יֵרוֹעַ, yerowa' - will be broken/shattered; KJV uses "smart"):

  • יֵרַע (yera') derived from רַע (ra'): This root signifies "bad," "evil," "calamity," "misfortune," "distress." The meaning conveyed is that the guarantor will suffer financially, emotionally, or socially due to the failed obligation. The KJV "smart" captures the sense of pain and affliction. It implies inevitable negative consequences.

• but he that hateth suretiship (שֹׂנֵא מַעֲרֻבוֹת, sone' ma'aruvot):

  • שׂנֵא (sone'): "To hate," "to despise," "to have an aversion for." This is a strong word, not just indicating avoidance but a deep-seated dislike or a clear and resolute opposition based on discernment.
  • מַעֲרֻבוֹת (ma'aruvot): Plural of 'arev (suretyship). The plural form suggests a general disdain for all such types of guarantees or a consistent policy of avoiding them. It underscores the general principle.

• is sure (בּוֹטֵחַ, botéakh):

  • בּוֹטֵחַ (botéakh): From the root meaning "to trust," "to be confident," "to be secure." This is the counterpoint. Those who avoid such dangerous pledges find personal and financial security. This "sureness" is a state of stability and peace, a direct result of prudent avoidance of unnecessary risk.

Proverbs 11 15 Bonus section

• The concept of zar (stranger) in Proverbs extends beyond just someone geographically foreign. It can also imply a person morally or spiritually alien to wisdom, making them unreliable and dangerous for close financial entanglement.
• While suretyship is condemned here for its folly, the Bible does present unique instances of surety in a different theological light. Hebrews 7:22 presents Jesus Christ as the "guarantor" (ἔγγυος, engyos) of a better covenant. This highlights the contrast: human suretyship is inherently flawed and dangerous, but Christ's suretyship is divine, perfect, and provides ultimate security and salvation. This emphasizes the critical difference between foolish human acts and God's perfect redemptive plan.
• The advice against suretyship in Proverbs suggests a pragmatic approach to finance, warning against impulsive acts driven by sentimentality or external pressure, rather than sound judgment and a proper assessment of risk. This practical wisdom protects the financial future of the individual and their family, allowing them to remain a blessing rather than becoming a burden.

Proverbs 11 15 Commentary

Proverbs 11:15 delivers a foundational principle of financial wisdom: prudence protects, while recklessness endangers. The proverbs frequently warn against the folly of suretyship, not as a blanket condemnation of all pledges, but specifically as an act fraught with peril when involving "strangers." The term "stranger" here emphasizes someone whose character, reliability, and financial capacity are unknown. There is no existing social capital or familial bond to fall back on if the stranger defaults. In an ancient society without credit bureaus or formal banking systems, pledging one's assets for another carried the potential for total financial ruin, loss of property, and even indentured servitude.

The contrast between "suffering" and "being sure" highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship. The one who extends security for a stranger risks their own security, while the one who possesses the foresight and wisdom to "hate," or actively reject, such risky undertakings ensures their own stability and well-being. This counsel advocates for responsible stewardship of one's resources and for protecting one's household. It's not a call to be uncharitable to actual strangers in need (as other Bible verses command concern for the sojourner), but a warning against misjudged financial risk that puts one's entire future at stake for a financially unproven individual.

• Example 1: A person with a limited income agreeing to co-sign a large, unsecured loan for a new acquaintance, jeopardizing their own savings and credit.
• Example 2: Investing significant, critical funds in a business venture proposed by someone met casually, without proper due diligence or established trust.
• Example 3: A Christian facing pressure to become a legal guarantor for an enterprise with unclear terms from someone outside their trusted circle.