King James Version

What Does Proverbs 25:17 Mean?

Proverbs 25:17 in the King James Version says “Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Withdraw: or, Let thy foot be ...” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Withdraw: or, Let thy foot be seldom in weary: Heb. full of thee”

Proverbs 25:17 · KJV

Context

15

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17

Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Withdraw: or, Let thy foot be seldom in weary: Heb. full of thee

18

A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

Read Proverbs 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house, lest he weary of you and hate you. The Hebrew 'yaqar' (rare/precious/honor) your foot and 'quwts' (loathe/be grieved) warns against overstaying welcome. Even good friendships need space. Constant presence breeds contempt; appropriate distance maintains appreciation. This verse teaches relational wisdom: respect boundaries, don't overstay, give space. Familiarity can breed contempt without intentional boundaries.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern hospitality valued generosity, but wisdom recognized limits. Even good hosts have limited capacity for guests. Modern culture's connectivity makes this harder - constant texting, social media presence, unlimited accessibility. Boundaries seem unfriendly but actually preserve relationships. Ecclesiastes 3:5 recognizes 'a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.'

Reflection Questions

  1. What relationships are you straining by overstaying welcome or demanding constant attention?
  2. How can you establish healthy boundaries that preserve friendships rather than straining them?
  3. What does it mean to make your presence 'precious' through appropriate limits?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
הֹקַ֣ר1 of 7

“Withdraw”

H3365

properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e., (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)

רַ֭גְלְךָ2 of 7

“thy foot”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

מִבֵּ֣ית3 of 7

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

רֵעֶ֑ךָ4 of 7

“from thy neighbour's”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

פֶּן5 of 7
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יִ֝שְׂבָּעֲךָ֗6 of 7

“lest he be weary”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

וּשְׂנֵאֶֽךָ׃7 of 7

“of thee and so hate”

H8130

to hate (personally)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 25:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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