Proverbs 17:14 kjv

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Proverbs 17:14 nkjv

The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

Proverbs 17:14 niv

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Proverbs 17:14 esv

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

Proverbs 17:14 nlt

Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop before a dispute breaks out.

Proverbs 17 verses

Proverbs 17 14 Meaning

Proverbs 17:14 asserts that the initial stage of any dispute or conflict is akin to making a tiny opening in a water barrier, an action that quickly results in an uncontrolled and overwhelming flood. The verse, therefore, delivers an urgent and practical command: cease all forms of contention at their very start to prevent them from escalating into an unmanageable and destructive eruption. It underscores the profound wisdom of preventing discord before it can inflict widespread damage.

Proverbs 17 14 Context

Proverbs 17, like much of the book of Proverbs (chapters 10-29), comprises independent didactic sayings intended to impart practical wisdom for daily living within a community guided by God's truth. This chapter particularly emphasizes the stark contrast between wisdom and folly, virtue and vice, focusing on character, conduct, and relationships. Verse 14 specifically addresses the profound danger of conflict, a recurring theme throughout the wisdom literature, which frequently champions harmony, patience, and controlled speech, while condemning contentiousness. For ancient Israelite society, which was often tribal and agrarian, communal peace was paramount for stability, justice, and survival. Disputes could quickly unravel the social fabric, leading to vendettas, divisions, and severe hardship. Thus, the proverb directly speaks to the necessity of immediate action to quell nascent conflicts to preserve social order and personal well-being.

Proverbs 17 14 Word analysis

• The beginning (רֵאשִׁית, re'shit): This noun means "first," "chief," or "origin." Its use here stresses that even the slightest or most subtle instigation of conflict, the mere inception, carries monumental potential for devastating outcomes.
• of strife (מָדוֹן, madon): From the root דוּן (dun), meaning "to strive" or "contend," madon denotes contention, quarreling, or a dispute. It characterizes the harmful relational state the proverb aims to avert.
• is like: This conjunction introduces a potent simile, a common literary device in Proverbs, vividly drawing a parallel between the abstract concept of starting a dispute and a universally recognized physical phenomenon.
• letting out (פּוֹטֵר, poter): This participle derives from the verb פָּטַר (patar), signifying "to open," "release," or "set loose." It conjures the image of intentionally removing a restraint or creating an opening, emphasizing human agency in initiating the "flow."
• water (מַיִם, mayim): Water, while essential, represents a powerful, often uncontrollable, and destructive force when unleashed—like a flood or burst dam. It powerfully conveys the overwhelming and pervasive nature of uncontrolled conflict.
• therefore: This adverb acts as a crucial connector, indicating a logical inference or a command based on the preceding analogy. It transitions from warning to imperative action.
• stop (טִישׁוּ, ṭiyshu): From a root that implies "to desist," "to abandon," or "to quiet." It mandates immediate, resolute cessation of the contentious act, not just mitigation. The action is about ending the beginning, not managing the full flow.
• contention (רִיב, riv): Similar to madon, riv refers to a quarrel, argument, or even a legal dispute. Its presence reinforces the specific target of the command, highlighting the need to actively discontinue such disputes.
• before it bursts out (לִפְנֵי הִתְגַּלְעַ, lifney hitgal'a):
  • Lifney (לִפְנֵי) means "before," setting a critical temporal boundary for effective intervention.
  • Hitgal'a (הִתְגַּלְעַ) is a vivid Hithpael (reflexive/reciprocal) form from the root גָּלַע (gala), meaning "to burst forth," "to erupt," or "to be laid bare." It depicts a violent, explosive, and uncontrollable rupture. This phrase highlights the "point of no return," where the conflict erupts beyond any possibility of easy containment or reversal.

• "The beginning of strife is like letting out water": This vivid analogy encapsulates the core warning: a small initial act of contention (the breach or loosened gate) inevitably leads to an overwhelming and destructive overflow (the flood). It emphasizes the loss of control once the process of conflict begins.
• "therefore stop contention": This phrase serves as the direct command and a wise imperative flowing from the analogy. The "therefore" links the predicted disaster of unrestrained strife directly to the urgent call for immediate action. It’s an urgent call to prevent, rather than react to, escalating conflict.
• "before it bursts out": This critical timeframe specifies the window of opportunity for effective intervention. It underscores the profound urgency of addressing and neutralizing contention at its earliest stage. The imagery of "bursting out" vividly conveys an uncontrolled, violent, and devastating eruption, echoing the analogy of the unleashed "water."

Proverbs 17 14 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "letting out," poter (פּוֹטֵר), can also be used in contexts of "releasing" or "opening" (e.g., in reference to the opening of the womb for a firstborn), subtly implying an act of initiation or removal of restraint. This nuance can underscore an element of human responsibility or even deliberate action in the initial stages of strife, whether through carelessness or intent. The analogy draws from common ancient Near Eastern experiences with managing irrigation systems, where even a small breach in a canal could lead to widespread devastation, underscoring the practical, survival-oriented wisdom embedded in the counsel. This theme of overwhelming, destructive water is also powerfully present elsewhere in the biblical narrative, from the Flood (Gen 6-9) to prophetic descriptions of invading armies as a rising flood (e.g., Isa 8:7-8), thus investing the metaphor with deeper resonance concerning chaos and judgment.

Proverbs 17 14 Commentary

Proverbs 17:14 delivers a profound piece of wisdom regarding conflict resolution, prioritizing proactive prevention over reactive containment. The striking analogy of "letting out water" captures the escalating and overwhelming nature of unmanaged disputes. Just as a small leak or a deliberate loosening of a sluice gate can rapidly transform into an uncontrollable deluge, so too can a minor disagreement or ill-advised contentious word swiftly mushroom into full-blown quarrels, deep-seated resentment, and widespread division. The wise understand that once the "dam breaks," or once emotions and hostilities fully "burst out," the destructive force unleashed is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to halt or repair.

Therefore, the proverb's powerful directive, "stop contention before it bursts out," serves as a vital blueprint for preserving peace in all relationships—personal, familial, communal, and even spiritual. It necessitates keen discernment to identify the subtle origins of discord and requires humility, self-control, and courage to promptly address issues, offer apologies, extend forgiveness, or simply disengage and walk away before the point of no return. Ignoring the early signs of conflict, or even worse, intentionally igniting the flame of contention, inevitably leads to devastating consequences. The proverb implicitly teaches that true strength lies not in winning an argument but in skillfully preventing one, safeguarding harmony, and fostering an environment of peace.

For practical usage:

• Instead of letting a misunderstanding fester, quickly seek clarification with an humble spirit.
• If a heated discussion arises, pause, suggest a break, or change the subject before angry words are spoken.
• Confront gossip or divisive speech in a charitable manner at its very first utterance to prevent its destructive spread.