The Meaning of Proverbs 25:8 Explained

Proverbs 25:8

KJV: Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

YLT: Go not forth to strive, haste, turn, What dost thou in its latter end, When thy neighbour causeth thee to blush?

Darby: Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

ASV: Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Go not forth  hastily  to strive,  lest [thou know not] what to do  in the end  thereof, when thy neighbour  hath put thee to shame. 

What does Proverbs 25:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:1-14 - Words Fitly Spoken
This collection of proverbs was made. 250years after the time of Solomon by the scribes of King Hezekiah. The glory of God is too great to be disclosed to the vulgar eye of mere curiosity, but it will be unfolded to royal souls that seek for it as for hid treasure"¦. The great rulers of the world must have their secret counsels, but they should be freed from evil counselors, as gold from dross"¦. Compare Proverbs 25:6 and Proverbs 25:7 with Luke 14:8-10"¦. Second thoughts are best; sleep over your plan or letter; be deliberate in planning and prompt in acting on the plan when formed"¦. Don't reveal to another a cause of offense that should be adjusted between yourself and your neighbor, Matthew 18:15"¦. A word happily adapted to a circumstance is like an apple of gold, that is, an orange, in a basket of silver filigree-work."¦ As drink cooled with snow refreshes the thirsty reaper, so is a messenger who faithfully executes his errand to the master who sent him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:8 mean?

Not do go to court hastily for what will you do in the end when has put to shame you your neighbor
אַל־ תֵּצֵ֥א לָרִ֗ב מַ֫הֵ֥ר פֶּ֣ן מַה־ תַּ֭עֲשֶׂה בְּאַחֲרִיתָ֑הּ בְּהַכְלִ֖ים אֹתְךָ֣ רֵעֶֽךָ

תֵּצֵ֥א  do  go 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
לָרִ֗ב  to  court 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: רִיב  
Sense: to strive, contend.
מַ֫הֵ֥ר  hastily 
Parse: Adverb
Root: מַהֵר  
Sense: hurrying, speedy, swift, hastening adv.
תַּ֭עֲשֶׂה  will  you  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
בְּאַחֲרִיתָ֑הּ  in  the  end 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: אַחֲרִית  
Sense: after part, end.
בְּהַכְלִ֖ים  when  has  put  to  shame 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: כָּלַם  
Sense: to insult, shame, humiliate, blush, be ashamed, be put to shame, be reproached, be put to confusion, be humiliated.
רֵעֶֽךָ  your  neighbor 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: רֵעַ  
Sense: friend, companion, fellow, another person.