Proverbs 18:16

Pro 18:16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Ver. 16. A man’s gift maketh room for him.] This Jacob {Gen 43:11} knew well, and therefore bade his sons take a present for the governor of the land, though it were but of every good thing a little. So Saul, {1Sa 9:7} when to go to the man of God to inquire about the asses; "But behold, said he to his servant, if we go, what shall we bring the man? what have we?" {See Trapp on "Pro 17:8"} {See Trapp on "Pro 17:23"}

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro 18:16. A man’s gift maketh room for him — Procures him free access to great men. Hebrew, ירחיב לו, enlargeth him, as this very phrase is rendered Psa 4:1, and elsewhere; freeth him from straits and oppressions; and bringeth him before great men — Procures him favour and free conversation with them.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

CRITICAL NOTES.—

Pro_18:16. A man’s gifts. “Hebrew, adam, the gift of a man, however humble and low” (Fausset).

MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro_18:16

THE INFLUENCE OF TALENT

Understanding the gift here spoken of as a special mental endowment (see Hitzig), we remark—

I. That great abilities are gifts from God. There are certain mental capabilities which are the common inheritance of men in general, but it cannot be denied that there are men who, apart from all the differences made by circumstances and education, have capacities and abilities which far exceed those of ordinary men. The gift of one talent is more common than the gift of ten, yet both the ten and the one are gifts from the same hand. Although the Divine Creator gives to all men liberally, He does not give to all equally, but seeing that man is not responsible for this inequality, those who are most richly endowed should find in the fact of their superiority matter for gratitude and not for self-glorification.

II. Such a gift tends to the exaltation of the man who possesses it. It “maketh room for him” in the world—it opens up to him many opportunities of social advancement, and it “bringeth him before great men,”—men who are either great in wealth and position or intellectually and morally great, or are great in both senses of the word. As surely as water will find its level, so a truly gifted man will find some outlet for his talents—some sphere large enough to use what has been bestowed upon him for the very purpose of being used. Even Daniel, although a captive in Babylon, found that the God-given powers within him made room for him at a heathen court and brought him before more than one mighty monarch.

III. Such a gift to a man is a gift for men. Although it tends to his own personal exaltation and benefit, it is not bestowed for that purpose only or chiefly. When God bestows upon one man capabilities and endowments far above the common order, He does not intend to bless that man alone by the gift, but he holds him responsible for the use of the power put into his hand—He expects him so to employ his talents that his fellow-men also may be blessed by the gift. Thus the administrative ability which was bestowed upon Joseph was not given to him simply or chiefly to bring him before Pharaoh for his own advancement, but to bring blessing to the Egyptian nation, and to further God’s purposes concerning his own family. When the Lord reckons with His servants, He will account that talent mis-used which is used for self-aggrandisement alone.

The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.

18:16 See “Bribes” Theme Note.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Getteth him liberty to speak, and favor of them that are most in estimation.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Of what great force gifts (that is, bribes) are he had intimated before, Pro 17:8, Pro 17:23. Here he shows the power of gifts, that is, presents made even by inferiors to those that are above them and have much more than they have. A good present will go far, 1. Towards a man's liberty: A man's gift, if he be in prison, may procure his enlargement; there are courtiers, who, if they use their interest even for oppressed innocency, expect to receive a gratuity for it. Or, if a mean man know not how to get access to a great man, he may do it by a fee to his servants or a present to himself; those will make room for him. 2. Towards his preferment. It will bring him to sit among great men, in honour and power. See how corrupt the world is when men's gifts will not do, though ever so great; nay, will gain that for them which they are unworthy of and unfit for; and no wonder that those take bribes in their offices who gave bribes for them. Vendere jura potest, emerat ille prius - He that bought law can sell it.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

(Compare Pro 17:8, Pro 17:23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 16. A man's gift maketh room for him] It is, and ever has been, a base and degrading practice in Asiatic countries, to bring a gift or present to the great man into whose presence you come. Without this there is no audience, no favour, no justice. This arose from the circumstance that men must not approach the altar of God without an offering. Potentates, wishing to be considered as petty gods, demanded a similar homage: -

Munera, crede mihi, capiunt hominesque deosque;

Placatur donis Jupiter ipse suis.

OVID

"Believe me, gifts prevail much with both gods and men:

even Jupiter himself is pleased with his own offerings."

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(16) A man’s gift.—Judicious liberality “maketh room for him,” helps him to make his way through life. (Comp. Luk_16:9, and the advice there given so to use temporal riches as to gain those of heaven.)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16. Comp. Pro_17:8; Pro_19:6.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

A man's gift maketh room for him,.... Or "enlarges him" (y); brings him out of prison, or, or out of straits and difficulties with which he, has, been pressed; or it makes way for him to a judge, and for a favourable hearing of his cause; or it enlarges his acquaintance, and gains him respect among men;

and bringeth him before great men; it opens a way for him into the presence and company of great men, being a fee to their servants; or with it he procures a place to wait on them. It is not necessary to understand it of a gift by way of bribe; but to introduce a person to another, and render him acceptable, and appease anger; as in the cases of Jacob and Abigail, Gen 32:20.

(y)

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

The “gift” (or, bribe), by a bold personification, appears as the powerful “friend at court,” who introduces another, and makes him welcome in high places.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Princes. He easily finds access by showing submission. (Calmet) Placatur donis Jupiter ipse suis. (Ovid)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Maketh room for him; procures him free access to great men. Heb. enlargeth him, as this very phrase is rendered, Psa 4:1, and elsewhere; freeth him from straits and oppressions.

Bringeth him before great men; gets him favour and free conversation with them.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

16. Maketh room for him — Obtains for him greater liberty and privileges. In the East it has ever been the custom to bring presents to nobles and princes. They expect it, and it is ordinarily the only way to get an audience with them. See Land and Book, vol. ii, pp. 28, 369.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

A man"s gift maketh room for him. (comp. Pro_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 carisma ; 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. 1Sa_10:27 1Ki_4:21 1Ki_10:25) So the Magi brought gifts so the newborn King at Bethlehem. (Mat_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, (Luk_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).

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

We have before spoken of the corrupting influence of gifts.†1 But we may justly apply this proverb to their legitimate use. Eliezer’s gifts made room for him in Rebekah’s family.†2 Jacob’s gifts made room for him in his brother’s heart.†3 Nor was it inconsistent with his integrity, by sending his present to the governor of Egypt, to bring his sons with acceptance before the great man.†4 Ehud’s gifts made room for his errand:†5 Abigail’s for the preservation of her house.†6 Often indeed were they presented simply as a tribute of respect;†7 as now, in some parts of the East, without them an inferior would scarcely have any claim upon his superior for favor or protection.†8 The Minister of the Gospel recognizes their value, making room for him, perhaps also for his message. Sympathy gives weight to his instruction, when, after the example of his Divine Master, he combines kindness to the body with love for the soul. Great wisdom and discrimination are however obviously required to prevent the serious evil of a well-intentioned charity. A wise consideration may also make room for us with great men for the advancement of the Christian cause. But in this most delicate exercise, let our own principles be fully acknowledged; else even in the service of God, we shall be "carnal, and walk as men" (1Co 3:3 ); not as the dignified servants of a heavenly Master.

Blessed be God! We want no gifts to bring us before him. Our welcome is free; our door of access ever open; our treasure of grace in his unchanging favor unsearchable.

Footnotes:

†1 Pro 17:8, Pro 17:23 . Compare Pro 19:6 .

†2 Gen 24:30-33.

†3 Gen 33:1-11.

†4 Gen 43:11.

†5 Jdg 3:17-18.

†6 1Sa 25:18-27 .

†7 1Sa 9:7 .

†8 See Paxton’s Illustrations, ii. 29.

Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

v. 16. A man’s gift, sent before him to procure favor for him, maketh room for him, giving him ready access to the one whose favor he is seeking, and bringeth him before great men, for it opens the doors of the mighty before him, this being true not only in the Orient, but also in the midst of our Western civilization.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

A man’s gift will make room [This is to be understood] according to its simple meaning, but, according to its midrashic interpretation, it deals with those who give (sic) charity, which widens his share in the future world, as well as during his lifetime, and it will lead him before the great, who say that he is esteemed.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.