The Meaning of Proverbs 25:9 Explained

Proverbs 25:9

KJV: Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

YLT: Thy cause plead with thy neighbour, And the secret counsel of another reveal not,

Darby: Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;

ASV: Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself , And disclose not the secret of another;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Debate  thy cause  with thy neighbour  [himself]; and discover  not a secret  to another: 

What does Proverbs 25:9 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 25:9 mean?

Debate your case with your neighbor and the secret to another not do disclose
רִֽ֭יבְךָ רִ֣יב אֶת־ רֵעֶ֑ךָ וְס֖וֹד אַחֵ֣ר אַל־ תְּגָֽל

רִֽ֭יבְךָ  Debate 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular, second person masculine singular
Root: רִיב  
Sense: to strive, contend.
רִ֣יב  your  case 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רִיב 
Sense: strife, controversy, dispute.
רֵעֶ֑ךָ  your  neighbor 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: רֵעַ  
Sense: friend, companion, fellow, another person.
וְס֖וֹד  and  the  secret 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: סׄוד  
Sense: council, counsel, assembly.
אַחֵ֣ר  to  another 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: אַחֵר  
Sense: another, other, following.
תְּגָֽל  do  disclose 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect Jussive, second person masculine singular
Root: גָּלָה  
Sense: to uncover, remove.

What are the major concepts related to Proverbs 25:9?

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