Proverbs 17:18

¶ A man void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

A man {H120} void {H2638} of understanding {H3820} striketh {H8628} hands {H3709}, and becometh {H6148} surety {H6161} in the presence {H6440} of his friend {H7453}.

He who gives his hand to guarantee a loan for his neighbor lacks good sense.

A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

A man void of understanding striketh hands, And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

Commentary

Proverbs 17:18 offers a sharp warning about financial recklessness, contrasting the behavior of a wise person with one who lacks understanding. This verse highlights the dangers of impulsively guaranteeing the debts of others, a common theme found throughout the book of Proverbs.

Context and Cultural Practice

In ancient Israel, "striking hands" (Hebrew: tokea' kappayim) was a formal gesture, akin to shaking hands on a deal today, which sealed an agreement. In this context, it specifically refers to entering into a legal commitment to "become surety" (Hebrew: 'orev), meaning to act as a guarantor or pledge for another person's debt or obligation. This practice was prevalent, and while sometimes necessary in a community, it carried significant risk. If the primary debtor defaulted, the surety was legally bound to pay the debt, potentially leading to financial ruin for the guarantor.

Key Themes

  • Financial Prudence vs. Folly: The central message is a strong admonition against taking on the financial burdens of others. The "man void of understanding" is characterized by a lack of foresight and practical wisdom, rushing into commitments without considering the severe potential consequences.
  • Wisdom and Discernment: The verse implicitly praises the wise individual who exercises caution and discernment in financial matters, avoiding such risky entanglements. It’s a call to think before acting, especially when money is involved.
  • Consequences of Recklessness: Although not explicitly stated in this verse, other passages in Proverbs make it clear that becoming surety often leads to distress and ruin for the guarantor, serving as a powerful deterrent.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "void of understanding" translates the Hebrew chasar lev, which literally means "lacking heart" or "lacking sense." This isn't merely intellectual ignorance but a deficiency in practical wisdom, foresight, and good judgment. Such a person acts impulsively, without careful consideration of future implications. The act of "striking hands" (tokea' kappayim) emphasizes the formal, binding nature of the agreement, while "becometh surety" ('orev) clearly defines the role of the guarantor who assumes financial responsibility for another's obligations.

Related Scriptures

This proverb is part of a larger body of wisdom literature warning against the perils of suretyship. Other passages reinforce this caution:

  • Proverbs 6:1-5 strongly advises against becoming surety, urging one to extricate themselves quickly if they have.
  • Proverbs 11:15 states, "He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure."
  • Proverbs 22:26-27 reiterates, "Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts: Lest he take away thy bed from under thee."

Practical Application

The wisdom of Proverbs 17:18 remains highly relevant in contemporary society. It serves as a timeless warning against:

  • Co-signing Loans: Similar to ancient suretyship, co-signing a loan makes you legally responsible for another person's debt. This verse advises extreme caution, especially if you are not fully prepared to pay the entire amount yourself.
  • Guaranteeing Business Ventures: Lending your credit or assets to back another's business venture without thorough due diligence and a clear understanding of the risks can lead to significant financial loss.
  • Impulsive Commitments: The "man void of understanding" represents anyone who makes major financial or contractual commitments impulsively, without proper research, calculation, or consideration of worst-case scenarios.

Ultimately, this verse encourages wise stewardship of resources, personal responsibility, and the cultivation of discernment to avoid unnecessary financial burdens that can jeopardize one's well-being and peace of mind.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 11:15

    ¶ He that is surety for a stranger shall smart [for it]: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

  • Proverbs 6:1

    ¶ My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, [if] thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

  • Proverbs 6:5

    Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand [of the hunter], and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

  • Proverbs 22:26

    ¶ Be not thou [one] of them that strike hands, [or] of them that are sureties for debts.

  • Proverbs 22:27

    If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

  • Proverbs 20:16

    ¶ Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

  • Proverbs 22:16

    ¶ He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.
← Back