Proverbs 25:8
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 11
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֵּצֵ֥א
Go not forth
H3318
תֵּצֵ֥א
Go not forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
2 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לָרִ֗ב
to strive
H7378
לָרִ֗ב
to strive
Strong's:
H7378
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
פֶּ֣ן
H6435
פֶּ֣ן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תַּ֭עֲשֶׂה
lest thou know not what to do
H6213
תַּ֭עֲשֶׂה
lest thou know not what to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּאַחֲרִיתָ֑הּ
in the end
H319
בְּאַחֲרִיתָ֑הּ
in the end
Strong's:
H319
Word #:
8 of 11
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
בְּהַכְלִ֖ים
hath put thee to shame
H3637
בְּהַכְלִ֖ים
hath put thee to shame
Strong's:
H3637
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
Cross References
Matthew 5:25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.Proverbs 17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.Proverbs 18:6A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.Proverbs 30:33Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern legal disputes occurred publicly at city gates, involving elders' judgment. Bringing false or weak case resulted in public shame and potentially legal penalties. Jesus taught: 'Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge' (Matthew 5:25). Paul condemned believers suing believers: 'Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another' (1 Corinthians 6:7).
Questions for Reflection
- What conflicts are you rushing into without sufficient consideration of potential outcomes?
- How can you pursue justice without hastily initiating legal action you might regret?
- What alternatives to litigation might resolve disputes while preserving relationships?
Analysis & Commentary
Don't hastily go to court, lest you not know what to do when your neighbor shames you. The Hebrew 'yahtsa' (go out) to 'riyb' (legal dispute) warns against impulsive litigation. Hasty lawsuits often backfire. Before initiating conflict, ensure you can sustain it. What appears as your neighbor's clear wrong might prove complicated under examination. Wisdom requires patient evaluation before legal action. Impulsive litigation often produces regret.