Proverbs 15:17
New International Version
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.

New Living Translation
A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.

English Standard Version
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

Berean Standard Bible
Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

King James Bible
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

New King James Version
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.

New American Standard Bible
Better is a portion of vegetables where there is love, Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

NASB 1995
Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

NASB 1977
Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, Than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Better is a dish of vegetables where there is love Than a fattened ox and hatred in it.

Amplified Bible
Better is a dinner of vegetables and herbs where love is present Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

Christian Standard Bible
Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

American Standard Version
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Contemporary English Version
A simple meal with love is better than a feast where there is hatred.

English Revised Version
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Better to have a dish of vegetables where there is love than juicy steaks where there is hate.

Good News Translation
Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate.

International Standard Version
A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity.

Majority Standard Bible
Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.

NET Bible
Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred.

New Heart English Bible
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.

Webster's Bible Translation
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred with it.

World English Bible
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, "" Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.

Young's Literal Translation
Better is an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.

Smith's Literal Translation
Good a ration of herbs and love there, above an ox of the stall and hatred with it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is better to be called to vegetables with charity, than to a fatted calf with hatred.

New American Bible
Better a dish of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.

New Revised Standard Version
Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than fatted steer and hatred with it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Better is a meal of vegetables and the love of The Name, than Fattened oxen with hatred.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
16Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. 17Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. 18A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 13:3
If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.

1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Romans 12:9-10
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. / Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:15
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Philippians 4:11-12
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.

1 Timothy 6:6-8
Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. / For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

1 Peter 4:8-9
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. / Show hospitality to one another without complaining.

Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.

Psalm 37:16
Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.

Proverbs 17:1
Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.

Proverbs 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.


Treasury of Scripture

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Proverbs 17:1
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Proverbs 21:19
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Psalm 133:1
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Jump to Previous
Allowance Better Calf Dinner Dish Fat Fatted Fattened Green Hate Hatred Herbs Love Meal Ox Served Simple Therewith Vegetables
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Allowance Better Calf Dinner Dish Fat Fatted Fattened Green Hate Hatred Herbs Love Meal Ox Served Simple Therewith Vegetables
Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














Better a dish of vegetables
The phrase "Better a dish of vegetables" suggests a simple, humble meal. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a "dish of vegetables" would have been considered a modest offering, often associated with the poor or those of lower social standing. The Hebrew word for "vegetables" (יָרָק, yarak) implies basic sustenance, emphasizing the simplicity and humility of the meal. This phrase sets the stage for a comparison between material wealth and spiritual richness, highlighting that the quality of relationships and the presence of love are more valuable than the abundance of material possessions.

where there is love
The phrase "where there is love" underscores the central theme of the verse: the importance of love and harmony in relationships. The Hebrew word for "love" (אַהֲבָה, ahavah) conveys deep affection, care, and commitment. In the biblical context, love is a fundamental principle that governs relationships, reflecting God's nature and His commandments. This phrase suggests that love transforms even the simplest of circumstances into something precious and fulfilling, aligning with the broader biblical teaching that love is the greatest of virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13).

than a fattened ox
The phrase "than a fattened ox" represents wealth, abundance, and luxury. In ancient times, a "fattened ox" was a symbol of prosperity and was often reserved for special occasions or feasts. The Hebrew word for "fattened" (אָבּוּס, abus) indicates an animal that has been well-fed and prepared for sacrifice or celebration. This phrase contrasts with the earlier mention of vegetables, highlighting the disparity between material wealth and the richness of love. It serves as a reminder that external abundance does not guarantee internal peace or happiness.

with hatred
The phrase "with hatred" introduces a stark contrast to the love mentioned earlier. The Hebrew word for "hatred" (שִׂנְאָה, sin'ah) denotes enmity, animosity, and discord. This phrase suggests that even the most lavish meal is tainted and undesirable when accompanied by strife and hostility. In the biblical worldview, hatred is a destructive force that undermines relationships and community, contrary to God's desire for unity and peace among His people. This phrase serves as a caution against valuing material wealth over the health and harmony of relationships.

Verse 17. - Better is a dinner (portion) of herbs where love is. A dish of vegetables would be the common meal, whereas flesh would be reserved for festive occasions. Where love presides, the simplest food is cheerfully received, and contentment and happiness abound (Proverbs 17:1). Lesetre quotes Horace's invitation to his friend Torquatus ('Epist.,' 1:5. 1) -

"Si potes Archiacis conviva recumbere lectis,
Nec modica cenare times olus omne patella,
Supreme te sole domi, Torquate, manebo."


"If, dear Torquatus, you can rest your head
On couches such as homely Archias made,
Nor on a dish of simple pot herbs frown,
I shall expect you as the sun goes down."


(Howes.) So the old jingle -

"Cum dat oluscula menes minuscula pace quieta,
Ne pete grandia lautaque prandia lite repleta."
A stalled ox is one taken up out of the pasture and fatted for the table. Thus we read (1 Kings 4:23) that part of Solomon's provision for one day was ten fat oxen and twenty oxen out of the pastures; and the prophets speak of "calves of the stall" (Amos 6:4; Malachi 4:2; comp. Luke 15:23). The fat beef implies a sumptuous and magnificent entertainment; but such a feast is little worth if accompanied with feelings of hatred, jealousy, and ill will. This and the preceding verse emphasize and explain ver. 15.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Better
ט֤וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

a dish
אֲרֻחַ֣ת (’ă·ru·ḥaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 737: A meal, allowance

of vegetables
יָ֭רָק (yā·rāq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3419: Green, a vegetable

where
שָׁ֑ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

there is love
וְאַהֲבָה־ (wə·’a·hă·ḇāh-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 160: Love (noun)

than a fattened
אָ֝ב֗וּס (’ā·ḇūs)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 75: To feed, fatten

ox
מִשּׁ֥וֹר (miš·šō·wr)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)

with hatred.
וְשִׂנְאָה־ (wə·śin·’āh-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8135: Hating, hatred


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 15:16
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