Proverbi 17:8

La Nuova Diodati

Un regalo una pietra preziosa agli occhi di chi lo possiede; dovunque si volge, egli riesce.

Parallel Translations

Riveduta Bibbia
Il regalo � una pietra preziosa agli occhi di chi lo possiede; dovunque si volga, egli riesce.

Giovanni Diodati Bibbia
Il presente �, appo chi � dato a ricever presenti, una gioia graziosa; Dovunque si volge produce effetto.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

gift: Proverbs 17:23, Psalms 18:16, Psalms 19:6, Psalms 21:13, Psalms 29:4, Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19

precious stone: Heb. stone of grace

whithersoever: Genesis 33:9-11, Genesis 43:11, 1 Samuel 25:35, 2 Samuel 16:1-4, Micah 7:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:27 - took Genesis 24:31 - thou Genesis 32:13 - a present Proverbs 18:16 - General Proverbs 19:6 - and Proverbs 21:14 - gift Daniel 11:24 - he shall scatter Acts 24:26 - hoped

Gill's Notes on the Bible

A gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it,.... Or "is a stone of grace" h, the note of similitude being wanting. It is an ornament of grace, adorns the person that wears it, makes him look lovely and amiable; is very grateful and desirable in itself, attracts and dazzles the eyes, and fills the mind with pleasure; so is a gift in the eyes of him that has it, that is the owner of it; either that has it in his possession to give, is the giver of it, as Aben Ezra; which, as it is valuable in his own eyes, he judges it to be so with others, and thinks he can do what be pleases with it, and engage persons by it to do as he would have them: or that is the receiver of it, as the Targum; who, having it given him, is master of it, and is so acceptable to him, and has such an influence upon him, as to do anything for it the giver of it directs him to, as follows:

whithersoever it turneth it prospereth: to whatsoever cause, or to whatsoever persons, judge or jury, it is given and received; it succeeds far better than the most eloquent orations, or learned pleadings in law, or appeals to statutes, and the production of them. Money answers all things; a gift blinds the eyes; it is like a diamond, so sparkling and dazzling, so charming and attracting, that the person to whom it is offered cannot resist it; and it draws him to do whatever is desired of him; it carries the cause, it succeeds according to the wish of the giver: or, as the Arabic version renders it,

"he shall find his business plain;''

done as he would have it. Jarchi applies the proverb thus;

"when a man comes before the Lord, and bribes him with words, and returns unto him, it is a precious stone in his eyes; and in all that he asks of him he prospers.''

h אבן חן "lapsis gratiae", Montanus, Baynus, Michaelis.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A half-satirical description of the power of bribery in palaces and among judges. The precious stone (literally as in the margin) is probably a gem, thought of as a talisman, which, “wherever it turns,” will ensure “prosperity” to him who, being the possessor, has the power to give it.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Proverbs 17:8. A gift is as a precious stone — It both enriches and ornaments. In the latter clause there is an evident allusion to cut stones. Whithersoever you turn them, they reflect the light, are brilliant and beautiful.