Bible Strands
Proverbs 17:19
He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The wisdom teacher addresses a general audience, positioning this maxim between a warning about reckless financial guarantees in Proverbs 17:18 and a description of a deceitful tongue in Proverbs 17:20.
The words — פֶּ֭שַׁע (Pe.sha') translates literally as transgression, and שָֽׁבֶר (Sha.ver) means ruin.
The thread — The pattern of self-exaltation preceding collapse runs through Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 18:12, and 1 Samuel 25:36.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to abandon conflict-seeking behavior and reject arrogant self-protection that actively provokes downfall.
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
He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Proverbs 18:12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
- 1 Samuel 25:36 When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.
- James 3:14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
- 2 Samuel 15:1 Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him.
- 1 Kings 1:5 At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him.
- Proverbs 17:14 To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
- Proverbs 24:27 Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.
- Proverbs 29:9 If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.
- Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.