Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own. New Living Translation Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears. English Standard Version Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. Berean Standard Bible Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. King James Bible He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. New King James Version He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears. New American Standard Bible Like one who takes a dog by the ears, So is one who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. NASB 1995 Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. NASB 1977 Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. Legacy Standard Bible Like one who seizes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and becomes passionate about strife not belonging to him. Amplified Bible Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten] Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business. Christian Standard Bible A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears. Holman Christian Standard Bible A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears. American Standard Version He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. Contemporary English Version It's better to take hold of a mad dog by the ears than to take part in someone else's argument. English Revised Version He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. GOD'S WORD® Translation [Like] grabbing a dog by the ears, [so] is a bystander who gets involved in someone else's quarrel. Good News Translation Getting involved in an argument that is none of your business is like going down the street and grabbing a dog by the ears. International Standard Version Picking up a dog by the ears— that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight. Majority Standard Bible Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. NET Bible Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own. New Heart English Bible Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. Webster's Bible Translation He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. World English Bible Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionLaying hold on the ears of a dog, "" [Is] a passer-by making himself wrath for strife [that is] not his own. Young's Literal Translation Laying hold on the ears of a dog, Is a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own. Smith's Literal Translation Laying hold upon the ears of a dog, he passing by overflowing upon strife not to him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel. Catholic Public Domain Version Just like one who takes hold of a dog by the ears, so also is he who crosses impatiently and meddles in the quarrels of another. New American Bible Whoever meddles in the quarrel of another is one who grabs a passing dog by the ears. New Revised Standard Version Like somebody who takes a passing dog by the ears is one who meddles in the quarrel of another. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe who meddles with a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He that meddles in a case that is not his is like he that takes a dog by its ears. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. Brenton Septuagint Translation As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Similitudes and Instructions…16The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly. 17Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. 18Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,… Cross References 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. 1 Peter 4:15 Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. 1 Timothy 5:13 At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention. Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. / Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? ... Luke 12:13-14 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” / But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?” Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 1 Corinthians 10:15-16 I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say. / Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 11:16 If anyone is inclined to dispute this, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God. 2 Timothy 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints. James 4:11-12 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. / There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ... Galatians 5:15 But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. Philippians 2:14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, Treasury of Scripture He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears. passeth Proverbs 17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Proverbs 18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. meddleth or is enraged Jump to Previous Belonging Business Dog Dog's Ears Fight Gets Hold Laying Making Mixed Passer-By Passes Passeth Passing Quarrel Seizes Strife WrathJump to Next Belonging Business Dog Dog's Ears Fight Gets Hold Laying Making Mixed Passer-By Passes Passeth Passing Quarrel Seizes Strife WrathProverbs 26 1. observations about fools13. about sluggards 17. and about contentious busybodies Like one who grabs a dog by the ears This phrase uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate the danger and foolishness of interfering in matters that do not concern us. In ancient times, dogs were not typically domesticated pets as they are today; they were often wild or semi-wild animals. Grabbing a dog by the ears would provoke an aggressive response, putting the person at risk of being bitten. This imagery underscores the peril of unwarranted involvement in conflicts. The Bible often uses animals to convey lessons, as seen in Proverbs 17:12, which warns against meeting a fool in his folly. is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own Persons / Places / Events 1. PasserbyThis refers to an individual who is not directly involved in a situation or conflict but chooses to intervene or interfere. 2. Dog In ancient Near Eastern culture, dogs were often seen as wild and potentially dangerous animals, unlike the domesticated pets we know today. 3. Quarrel A dispute or conflict between two or more parties, which in this context, the passerby is not a part of. 4. Proverbs A book in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, known for its wisdom literature. 5. Ancient Near East The cultural and historical context in which the Book of Proverbs was written, influencing its imagery and teachings. Teaching Points Avoid Unnecessary ConflictJust as grabbing a dog by the ears is likely to result in harm, meddling in others' disputes can lead to unnecessary trouble and conflict. Respect Boundaries Recognize and respect the boundaries of others' relationships and conflicts. Not every situation requires your input or intervention. Seek Wisdom Before Acting Before getting involved in any situation, seek God's wisdom through prayer and discernment to determine if your involvement is necessary or beneficial. Promote Peace As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers. Sometimes, the best way to promote peace is by staying out of conflicts that do not concern us. Reflect on Motives Consider why you feel compelled to intervene in a situation. Is it out of genuine concern, or is it driven by pride or a desire to control?(17) Meddleth with strife.--Rather, that is excited with strife. If quarrelling and taking revenge on our own account are forbidden (Romans 12:18-19), how much more is the mixing up of ourselves in the disputes of other persons. Like one that taketh a dog by the ears.--Who deserves to be bitten for his pains, the usual result of interfering in quarrels. Verses 17-28. - A series of proverbs connected more or less with peacefulness and its opposite. Verse 17. - He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him. "Meddleth with strife" should be "vexes, excites himself, with a quarrel." Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears, and thus needlessly provokes him to bark and bite. Regarding the position of the two participles in this verse, without any connecting link, Delitzsch takes "passing by" as attributed to the dog, thus: "He seizes by the ears a dog passing by, who is excited by a strife that concerns him not." The stray dog corresponds to the quarrel with which one has nothing to do. The present accentuation does not support this view; otherwise it is suitable and probable. Septuagint, "As he who lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he who sets himself forth as champion in another's cause." Ecclus. 11:9, "Strive not in a matter that concerns thee not." Says a Greek gnome -Πολυπραγμονεῖν τὰλλότρια μὴ βοῦλου κακά Our English proverb says, "He that intermeddles with all things may go shoe the goslings." The Telugu compares such interference to a monkey holding a snake in his paw; it is hard to hold, dangerous to let go (Lane). Hebrew Like one who grabsמַחֲזִ֥יק (ma·ḥă·zîq) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer a dog כָ֑לֶב (ḵā·leḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3611: A dog, a male prostitute by the ears בְּאָזְנֵי־ (bə·’ā·zə·nê-) Preposition-b | Noun - fdc Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear is a passer-by עֹבֵ֥ר (‘ō·ḇêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on who meddles מִ֝תְעַבֵּ֗ר (miṯ·‘ab·bêr) Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on in עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against a quarrel רִ֥יב (rîḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute not his own. לֹּֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no Links Proverbs 26:17 NIVProverbs 26:17 NLT Proverbs 26:17 ESV Proverbs 26:17 NASB Proverbs 26:17 KJV Proverbs 26:17 BibleApps.com Proverbs 26:17 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 26:17 Chinese Bible Proverbs 26:17 French Bible Proverbs 26:17 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears (Prov. 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