Proverbs 17:8 - Exposition

There is a breath of satire in this verse. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it. "A precious stone" is literally "a stone of grace" ( Proverbs 1:9 ). The gnome expresses the idea that a bribe is like a bright jewel that dazzles the sight and affects the mind of him who receives it (see on Proverbs 15:27 ; comp. Deuteronomy 16:19 ; 1 Samuel 12:3 ). Ovid, 'Art. Amat.,' 3.653—

" Munera, crede mihi, capiunt hominesque deosque;

Placatur donis Jupiter ipse datis ."

It is possible that the gnome may have a more general application, and apply to gifts given to appease anger or to prove friendship ( Proverbs 19:6 ; Proverbs 21:14 ). Septuagint, "A reward of graces is discipline to those who use it;" i.e. moral discipline brings an ample reward of graces to those who practise it. Whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth . The Authorized Version refers these words to the gift. Delitzsch points out that the words are more properly taken of the person who receives the gift, so that they should be rendered, "Wheresoever he turneth himself he dealeth wisely." Inflamed by sordid hopes and the love of gain, he acts with all possible skill and prudence in order to work out his wages and show that he was rightly selected to receive the present. The verse merely states a common trait among unscrupulous men, and pronounces no judgment upon it.