Bible Strands
Proverbs 18:17
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The wisdom teacher addresses readers within a collection of practical instructions, positioning this observation between a proverb about gifts opening doors and one about casting lots to resolve disputes.
The words — הָ/רִאשׁוֹן (ha./ri.Shon) means “the first,” and וַ/חֲקָרֽוֹ (va./cha.ka.R/o) means “and he will examine him.”
The thread — The text’s concern for balanced testimony runs parallel to Proverbs 18:13, which condemns answering before hearing, and Acts 24:12, which records that Paul’s accusers did not find him debating or stirring crowds.
Why it lands — The passage demands that readers treat initial claims as provisional and actively seek opposing testimony before forming a judgment.
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 that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.
- Acts 24:12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
- 2 Samuel 19:24 Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.
- 2 Samuel 16:1 When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
- Acts 24:5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,