Proverbs 17:8 Commentary and Bible Study

The word ‘gift’ means something given for good or bad purpose, but usually to induce a change of behaviour in the receiver. Most often it is translated ‘bribe’ in the KJV and rightly so, for it is obviously a gift intended to pervert justice and which God forbids (Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; 27:25; 1 Samuel 8:3, etc.), but it is sometimes used to describe a gift given to appease a more powerful opponent (Deuteronomy 10:17; 1 Kings 16:19; 2 Kings 16:8), or a gift given to buy an alliance (1 Kings 15:19). Although there is a straightforward and good use of gifts which has kindness behind it and is wholly innocent, there is no reason not to go with the common use of the word here and to translate it as ‘bribe’ since this gives a reasonable albeit a negative meaning to the proverb. He that has the gift could be the giver or the receiver of the gift, but the second half of the proverb requires it to be the giver.If then the word is translated ‘bribe’ then the prospering in the second half of the proverb is manipulative shameful prospering. The proverb is then to be treated as a warning against this. There are those who navigate life by manipulation and think that they have found a formula for always achieving what they want. They will give gifts, but their gifts are devious and intended to intimidate others into doing what they want them to do; they have strings attached. The resulting relationships are worth little, because they are not relating to the real person. Unless believers love one another for what they are or for what God is making them, and not for what they put pressure on others to be, then friendships are not real. Of course we can admonish others to be what God has commanded us to be as we are conformed into the image of Christ, but to bend other people into being what only suits us and advantages us is an act of deceit. There should be openness between God’s people that trusts the work of the Spirit in other hearts sufficiently to let them relate to us freely.