Proverbs 17:18 (GNV)

Passage

A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?

Proverbs 17:17 A friende loueth at all times: and a brother is borne for aduersitie.

Proverbs 17:18 A man destitute of vnderstanding, toucheth the hande, and becommeth suretie for his neighbour.

Proverbs 17:19 He loueth transgression, that loueth strife: and he that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction.

Proverbs 17:20 The froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a naughtie tongue, shall fall into euill.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "destitute", "vnderstanding", "toucheth", "hande", "becommeth", "suretie", and "neighbour". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "destitute" and "vnderstanding", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "A friende loueth at all times and..." into verse 19's "He loueth transgression that loueth strife and...", so "destitute" and "vnderstanding" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "destitute" and "vnderstanding" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.