Proverbs 17:1

1 Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

Proverbs 17:1 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:1

Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness therewith
A small quantity of bread; a broken piece of bread, as the word ^F23 signifies; which has been long broken off, and become "dry" ^F24; a dry crust of bread; old bread, as the Arabic version; an old, mouldy, dry piece of bread: and the word used has the signification of destruction in it: bread that has lost its taste and virtue; or, however, a mere piece of bread is meant, without anything to eat with it, as Gersom, butter, cheese, or flesh: this, with quietness and peace among those that partake of it, peace in the family, in a man's own mind, especially if he has the peace of God, which passeth all understanding; this is better than a house full of sacrifices [with] strife;
than a house ever so well furnished with good cheer, or a table ever so richly spread; or where there is plenty of slain beasts for food, or for sacrifice, which were usually the best, and part of which the people had to eat, and at which times feasts used to be made; but the meanest food, with tranquillity and contentment, is preferable to the richest entertainment where there is nothing but strife and contention among the guests; for, where that is, there is confusion and every evil work: peace and joy in the Holy Ghost are better than meats and drinks. Mr. Dod used to say,

``brown bread and the Gospel are good fare;''

see ( Proverbs 15:17 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (tp) "frustrum", a (ttp) , "fregit", Gejerus.
F24 (hbrx) "siccum frustum panis", Tigurine version; "cibi sicci" Junius & Tremellius; "brucella sicca", V. L. Mercerus, Piscator; "buccea sicca", Cocceuis; "frustum sicci, sc. cibi", Michaelis, "frustum siccae buccellae, Schultens, so Ben Melech.

Proverbs 17:1 In-Context

1 Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

2 A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.