July 24, 2018

Interpreting a Proverb

By Anthony Baker

I am going to do something a little different – I’m going to ask you to do some investigative work.

Please read the following verse from the King James Version of the Bible, then think about what it means.

Don’t look at another translation just yet. Don’t do anything other than read the following verse:

A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. – Proverbs 17:8 KJV

What is it talking about?

Is the meaning obvious to you? What first impression do you get when reading it?

Quickly! Leave a comment below as to your first thoughts, then go do your research and leave a second comment.

Don’t cheat! The eyes of the Lord are watching 😉

About Anthony Baker

Husband, dad, pastor, artist, and musician. Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2006 (no joke!). Loves coffee (big time), good movies, and sarcastic humor. Holds a Doctorate in Ministry. Most importantly, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. All glory belongs to Him! Matthew 5:16 View all posts by Anthony Baker

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 24th, 2018 at 9:34 am and tagged with Bible study, Bible versions, challanges. homework, Hebrew, King James, Languages, proverbs and posted in counsel, discipline, Instruction, Wisdom. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

3 responses to “Interpreting a Proverb”

Anthony Baker
July 24th, 2018 at 12:06 pm

Reblogged this on The Recovering Legalist and commented:

I posted this on my other blog this morning. If you don’t follow Proverbial Thought, why not check it out and leave a comment on this particular post?

God bless!

Reply
Daniel M. Klem
July 25th, 2018 at 1:30 am

Am I allowed to answer as one who has contributed to this blog and read through this before? ;p

Reading it while tired, my first thought was “Oh, someone is super happy to have gotten a gift, and he wants to show it off!”
Then I reread it.
It looks more like a person has money or something and is saying “I have this magical device to make people do whatever I want!” Really, “he” just knows how to play off of others’ greed to get what “he” wants.

Reply
myasceticnotebook
July 26th, 2018 at 9:15 am

I imagine “prospereth” as meaning “something pleasing”. As when (let’s keep with the simile of a “precious stone”) you gaze at a diamond, turning it to catch the light at differing angles. Thus, the gift remains appealing when seen from several angles.

Reply