The Meaning of Proverbs 18:17 Explained

Proverbs 18:17

KJV: He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

YLT: Righteous is the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him.

Darby: He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

ASV: He that pleadeth his cause first'seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

[He that is] first  in his own cause  [seemeth] just;  but his neighbour  cometh  {08675;0935:08799} and searcheth  him. 

What does Proverbs 18:17 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 18

1  A fool delights not in understanding

What do the individual words in Proverbs 18:17 mean?

[seems] right the first [one] to [plead] his cause - comes - and examines him
צַדִּ֣יק הָרִאשׁ֣וֹן בְּרִיב֑וֹ [יבא־] (וּבָֽא־) רֵ֝עֵ֗הוּ וַחֲקָרֽוֹ

צַדִּ֣יק  [seems]  right 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: צַדִּיק  
Sense: just, lawful, righteous.
הָרִאשׁ֣וֹן  the  first  [one] 
Parse: Article, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רִאשֹׁון  
Sense: first, primary, former.
בְּרִיב֑וֹ  to  [plead]  his  cause 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: רִיב 
Sense: strife, controversy, dispute.
[יבא־]  - 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
(וּבָֽא־)  comes 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
רֵ֝עֵ֗הוּ  - 
Parse:
וַחֲקָרֽוֹ  and  examines  him 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: חָקַר  
Sense: to search, search for, search out, examine, investigate.