Bible Strands
Proverbs 17:18
A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom collection addresses a student with practical counsel, placing this warning between verses on steadfast friendship and the consequences of pride.
The words — חֲסַר־לֵב (cha.sar-lev) means lacking heart or judgment, and תּוֹקֵעַ כָּף (to.Ke.a kaf) literally denotes striking a palm.
The thread — The prohibition against reckless financial guarantees recurs in Proverbs 6:1, 11:15, and 22:26.
Why it lands — The text states that a person without discernment commits to another's debt through a handshake pledge. It requires evaluating the risk of financial entanglement before offering collateral.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 11:15 He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.
- Proverbs 6:1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger,
- Proverbs 22:26 Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.
- Proverbs 20:16 Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.
- Proverbs 22:16 Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.