Teks -- Proverbs 18:17 (NET)

18:17 The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

JFB: Pro 18:17

One-sided statements are not reliable.

JFB: Pro 18:17 - searcheth

Thoroughly (Pro 17:9, Pro 17:19).

Clarke: Pro 18:17 - He that is first in his own cause

He that is first in his own cause - Any man may, in the first instance, make out a fair tale, because he has the choice of circumstances and arguments. But when the neighbor cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and brings out truth and fact.

TSK: Pro 18:17

Pro 18:13; 2Sa 16:1-3, 2Sa 19:24-27; Act 24:5, Act 24:6, Act 24:12, Act 24:13

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Pro 18:17 - He that is first in his own cause // His neighbour cometh // and searcheth him

He that is first in his own cause he that first pleadeth his cause,

seemeth just both to himself and to the judge or court, by his fair pretences.

His neighbour cometh to contend with him in judgment and to plead his cause,

and searcheth him examineth the truth and weight of his allegations, and disproveth them, and detecteth his weakness. Or, discovers him ; for seeking or searching are oft put for finding , as Pro 17:9,19 , and elsewhere.

Haydock: Pro 18:17 - Him

Him. To see that he act with sincerity.

Gill: Pro 18:17 - He that is first in his own cause seemeth just // but his neighbour cometh, and searcheth him

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just,.... As perhaps Tertullus did, before Paul made his defence; and as Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, before his master detected him: this often appears true in telling a tale, in private conversation, in lawsuits before a judge and a court of judicature, and in theological controversies;

but his neighbour cometh, and searcheth him; his neighbour comes into the house, where he is telling his tale, and reports it in another manner, and shows the falsehood of his relation; or he comes into a court of judicature, and sets the cause in quite another light; or he comes out into the worm by public writing, and exposes the errors of a man engaged in a wrong cause, and refutes his arguments. It is generally understood of judicial affairs, that the first that opens a cause is very apt to prejudice the judge and court in his favour, and they are ready to thing at first hearing that he is in the right; but it is not proper to be hasty in forming a judgment till the other side is heard; for his antagonist comes and traverses the point, unravels the whole affair, shows the weakness of his cause, the vanity of his pretences, and makes void all his allegations; and then "he", the judge, so some interpret it, "searcheth"; inquires more narrowly into the case, in order to find out truth, and pass a right judgment and sentence.