Proverbs 18:16
New International Version
A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

New Living Translation
Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!

English Standard Version
A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.

Berean Standard Bible
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

King James Bible
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

New King James Version
A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

New American Standard Bible
A person’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great people.

NASB 1995
A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.

NASB 1977
A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

Legacy Standard Bible
A man’s gift makes room for him And leads him into the presence of great men.

Amplified Bible
A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him And brings him before great men.

Christian Standard Bible
A person’s gift opens doors for him and brings him before the great.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A gift opens doors for a man and brings him before the great.

American Standard Version
A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

Contemporary English Version
A gift will get you in to see anyone.

English Revised Version
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A gift opens doors for the one who gives it and brings him into the presence of great people.

Good News Translation
Do you want to meet an important person? Take a gift and it will be easy.

International Standard Version
A person's gift opens doors for him, bringing him access to important people.

Majority Standard Bible
A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

NET Bible
A person's gift makes room for him, and leads him before important people.

New Heart English Bible
A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

Webster's Bible Translation
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

World English Bible
A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The gift of a man makes room for him, "" And it leads him before the great.

Young's Literal Translation
The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

Smith's Literal Translation
The gift of a man will enlarge to him, and shall conduct him before the great.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A man's gift enlargeth his may, and maketh him room before princes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A man’s gift expands his way and makes space for him before leaders.

New American Bible
Gifts clear the way for people, winning access to the great.

New Revised Standard Version
A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A man's gifts make room for him and bring him before great men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A man's gifts give him room and stand him before the great.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out. 16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.…

Cross References
Genesis 32:20
You are also to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’” For he thought, “I will appease Esau with the gift that is going before me. After that I can face him, and perhaps he will accept me.”

1 Samuel 25:27
Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you.

1 Kings 10:1-2
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. / She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.

2 Kings 5:5-6
“Go now,” said the king of Aram, “and I will send you with a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman departed, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten sets of clothing. / And the letter that he took to the king of Israel stated: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman, so that you may cure him of his leprosy.”

Esther 5:1-2
On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance. / As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Genesis 43:11-14
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. / Take double the silver with you so that you may return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. / Take your brother as well, and return to the man at once. ...

1 Samuel 9:7-8
“If we do go,” Saul replied, “what can we give the man? For the bread in our packs is gone, and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?” / The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way.”

2 Chronicles 9:23-24
All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. / Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

Job 42:8-10
So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.” / So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD had told them; and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. / After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his prosperity and doubled his former possessions.

Genesis 33:10-11
But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably. / Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” So Jacob pressed him until he accepted.

Matthew 2:11
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Acts 10:4
Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Luke 7:37-38
When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. / As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.

Acts 24:26
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.


Treasury of Scripture

A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

Proverbs 17:8
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

Proverbs 19:6
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

Proverbs 21:14
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

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Proverbs 18
1. A fool delights not in understanding














A gift
In the Hebrew text, the word for "gift" is "מַתָּן" (mattan), which refers to a present or offering. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, gifts were often used to establish relationships, show respect, or gain favor. The concept of a gift in this context is not merely a material offering but can also be seen as a representation of one's talents or abilities. From a Christian perspective, every believer is endowed with spiritual gifts from God, meant to be used for His glory and the edification of the church. This verse reminds us that our gifts, whether material or spiritual, have the power to open doors and create opportunities.

opens the way
The phrase "opens the way" suggests the idea of creating access or making a path clear. In Hebrew, the verb "רחב" (rachav) can mean to broaden or make room. Historically, presenting a gift to a king or a person of authority could literally open doors, allowing the giver to enter into the presence of someone they might not otherwise have access to. Spiritually, this can be seen as how God’s gifts in our lives can create opportunities for ministry and influence, allowing us to reach places and people we might not have been able to on our own.

and ushers him
The word "ushers" implies guidance or leading. In the Hebrew context, this can be understood as being brought or led into a particular place. The imagery here is of someone being escorted into a significant or influential setting. This reflects the idea that the proper use of one's gifts can lead to divine appointments and opportunities orchestrated by God. It is a reminder that when we use our gifts wisely and generously, God can lead us into situations where we can have a greater impact for His kingdom.

into the presence of the great
The phrase "into the presence of the great" refers to being brought before people of importance or influence. In ancient times, being in the presence of the "great" could mean kings, rulers, or other figures of authority. Biblically, this can be seen as a metaphor for being brought into situations where one's influence can be maximized for God's purposes. It is a call to recognize that our gifts are not just for personal gain but are meant to be used in service to others, potentially bringing us before those who can further God’s work in the world. This aligns with the Christian understanding that God places us in strategic positions to be His ambassadors, using our gifts to reflect His glory and truth.

(16) A man's gift.--Judicious liberality "maketh room for him," helps him to make his way through life. (Comp. Luke 16:9, and the advice there given so to use temporal riches as to gain those of heaven.)

Verse 16. - A man's gift maketh room for him (comp. Proverbs 19:6). Mattam, "gift," has been taken in different senses. Some consider it to mean a bribe offered for underhand or fraudulent purposes; but the context does not lead to this conclusion, and the parallel passage mentioned above makes against it. Hitzig sees in it a spiritual gift, equivalent to χάρισμα; but such a meaning is not elsewhere attached to the word. The term here signifies the present which duty or friendship offers to one whom one wishes to please. This paves a man's way to a great person's presence. Bringeth him before great men. The Oriental custom of offering suitable gifts to one in authority, when a favour or an audience is desired, is here alluded to (comp. 1 Samuel 10:27; 1 Kings 4:21; 1 Kings 10:25). So the Magi brought gifts so the newborn King at Bethlehem (Matthew 2:11). In a spiritual sense, the right use of riches opens the way to eternal life, evincing a man's practical love of God and man; as Christ says (Luke 16:9), "Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles" (Revised Version).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A man’s
אָ֭דָם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

gift
מַתָּ֣ן (mat·tān)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4976: A present

opens doors
יַרְחִ֣יב (yar·ḥîḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7337: To be or grow wide or large

for him,
ל֑וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and brings
יַנְחֶֽנּוּ׃ (yan·ḥen·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5148: To guide, to transport

him before
וְלִפְנֵ֖י (wə·lip̄·nê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

great men.
גְדֹלִ֣ים (ḡə·ḏō·lîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift makes room for him (Prov. Pro Pr)
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