Proverbs 26:17 kjv

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Proverbs 26:17 nkjv

He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

Proverbs 26:17 niv

Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.

Proverbs 26:17 esv

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

Proverbs 26:17 nlt

Interfering in someone else's argument
is as foolish as yanking a dog's ears.

Proverbs 26 verses

Proverbs 26 17 Meaning

Proverbs 26:17 vividly illustrates the grave folly of unwarranted interference in a dispute that does not concern oneself. It likens such an action to seizing a dog by its ears, a provocative act that inevitably results in the dog attacking the one who grasps it. This proverb teaches that meddling in others' quarrels is foolish, dangerous, and invites personal harm or contention, transforming an outsider into a new target of the dispute's aggression.

Proverbs 26 17 Context

Proverbs chapter 26 is a collection of various sayings that often deal with contrasting wise and foolish behaviors. Specifically, verses 1-12 primarily describe the nature and actions of a "fool" (אֱוִיל, ʾĕwil), highlighting their incorrigible and dangerous tendencies. Verses 13-16 shift to portray the "sluggard" or lazy person, illustrating their self-deception and absurd excuses. Verse 17, and the verses immediately following, then focus on those who engage in mischief, folly, and destructive actions through speech or interference, showing how such conduct harms oneself and others. The verse stands as a stark warning within this broader theme of exposing destructive personal traits. Historically and culturally, the image of the dog as a scavenger or a dangerous, unclean animal was common in ancient Israel, making the analogy particularly potent and understood as a severe act of provocation with guaranteed negative repercussions. The verse cautions against the uninvited intervention into private disputes that was seen as disrupting communal harmony and inviting personal peril in a tightly-knit society where feuds could easily escalate.

Proverbs 26 17 Word analysis

• Like one who grabs: Implies a sudden, uncalled-for, and forceful act of intervention. It denotes an initiator of interaction where none is required, an action often motivated by rashness.
• a dog: (כֶּלֶב, kelev) In ancient Israel, dogs were typically undomesticated scavengers, often seen as unclean (Isa 66:3; Matt 7:6) and dangerous animals (Ps 22:16, 20). Unlike today's common household pets, an unfamiliar dog represented unpredictability and potential aggression.
• by the ears: Grabbing an animal by its ears is a direct, painful, and highly provocative act. It immediately puts one in a vulnerable and precarious position relative to the animal's powerful bite. This specific action ensures a violent reaction.
• is one who passes by: (עֹבֵר, ʿōvēār) Literally "passing over." It denotes someone casually observing, who has no vested interest or obligation to the situation. Their involvement is entirely voluntary and unsolicited.
• and meddles: (וּמִתְעַבֵּר, u'mitʿabbēr) From the root עָבַר (ʿābar), which can mean "to pass over" or "to cross." In the Hithpael stem, it can also mean "to become enraged," "to burst forth," or "to intervene violently/impulsively." Here, it conveys an ill-advised, impulsive, and uninvited intervention into another's matter. It is a stirring up or getting oneself embroiled.
• with a quarrel: (רִיב, rîv) Refers to a dispute, contention, lawsuit, or legal controversy. It is more than a simple disagreement; it implies an active conflict or argument.
• not his own: Explicitly states that the dispute belongs to others, not the intervening party. This lack of personal stake or responsibility is crucial, underscoring the senselessness of the intervention. The fight is not their concern, and they have no call or duty to participate.

Word-Group Analysis

• Like one who grabs a dog by the ears: This vivid, perhaps shocking, metaphor sets up an inescapable cause-and-effect relationship. It signifies an act that is inherently dangerous, senseless, and guaranteed to provoke a painful, aggressive response. It underscores the lack of foresight and wisdom in the action.
• is one who passes by and meddles: This phrase describes the individual performing the unwise act. "Passing by" suggests a detached observer status that is foolishly abandoned. "Meddles" highlights the active, unnecessary, and intrusive nature of the intervention. It's not a mere observation but an intentional involvement.
• with a quarrel not his own: This defines the context and specific nature of the intervention. The quarrel is someone else's property; therefore, becoming involved means taking on an unnecessary burden, an avoidable fight, and often becoming the recipient of hostile action that was not directed at them initially.

Proverbs 26 17 Bonus section

This proverb illustrates a significant principle of interpersonal wisdom often overlooked in societies prone to gossip, intrusiveness, or self-appointed judgment. The warning is not against all intervention in a dispute, but specifically against meddling—an uninvited, ill-advised, and often arrogant insertion into a conflict that is "not his own." Legitimate intervention, such as that by a wise arbiter or a divinely appointed leader (like Moses or elders judging disputes, Exo 18:13-26), is based on authority, invitation, or a clear call to peace-making with true wisdom (James 3:17-18). This proverb contrasts such righteous peacemaking with foolish busybody actions, distinguishing between helpful, wisdom-based action and destructive, self-imposed trouble. The severity of the consequence (being bitten by a dog) emphasizes that what might seem like a small or harmless act of curiosity or interference can escalate into significant personal harm or damage to relationships.

Proverbs 26 17 Commentary

Proverbs 26:17 presents a forceful, memorable warning against the peril of uninvited intervention. The graphic analogy of grabbing a dog by its ears highlights the absolute certainty of negative consequences for an act of ill-considered provocation. Just as such an act would immediately incite the dog's aggression, so too does meddling in a quarrel that is not one's own instantly transform an outsider into a participant and often, a target of the dispute's animosity. The verse underscores that true wisdom lies in discerning the boundaries of one's responsibility and refraining from entangling oneself in conflicts that do not genuinely involve or require one's input. Such unsolicited intervention rarely resolves the initial conflict and instead broadens it, pulling in an innocent party and potentially making them the focus of new animosity or blows. Practical usage can be seen when a bystander jumps into a heated argument between family members or colleagues without understanding the underlying dynamics, only to find themselves attacked by both sides, or becoming the scapegoat. It encourages restraint, discernment, and respecting the personal space and processes of others.