Proverbs 11:15
Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Hebrew text uses three distinct words, all translated with variations of "surety" or "secure," which can obscure the core message. The verse isn't just about financial risk; it's highlighting that actively avoiding those entangling agreements—even a handshake pledge—is the surest path to true peace and security.
This verse is part of a larger section in Proverbs contrasting the ways of the wise and the foolish, particularly regarding financial and social entanglements. It directly follows advice on avoiding folly and distrusting the deceitful, emphasizing practical wisdom for daily life. The proverb warns against the severe consequences of carelessly guaranteeing another person's debts, especially a stranger, and promotes a secure life by avoiding such dangerous commitments.
Ever heard the phrase, "borrowed trouble"? This ancient proverb gets straight to the point about the risks involved when we co-sign or guarantee someone else's debt.
The proverb warns against becoming a "surety" for a "stranger." This means acting as a guarantor for someone you don't know well, essentially promising to pay their debt if they can't.
The Painful Price
The text says you will "surely suffer harm" or be "sorely broken." Why?
The proverb doesn't just warn about what not to do; it offers a clear path to personal security. It's about more than just avoiding bad deals.
The second half of the verse reveals the antidote to the danger described earlier: "...he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure."
The Wisdom of Refusal
Understand the original words
arab · Hebrew Verb
A legal guarantee or pledge for the debts of another. Wisdom literature warns against this, as it often leads to financial ruin and entanglement with those one cannot control.
taqa · Hebrew Verb
A symbolic gesture of entering into a binding contract or agreement. Hating this act signifies a refusal to enter into reckless obligations.
This verse directly links to Proverbs 11:15, warning about rashly giving your word for a neighbor or stranger, emphasizing the potential for personal ruin.
Proverbs 17:18This passage highlights the foolishness of becoming a guarantor, stating 'A man lacking sense strikes hands in a pledge, becoming security for his neighbor.'
Luke 14:28-30Jesus' parable about counting the cost before building a tower speaks to the wisdom of careful planning and avoiding commitments that could lead to ruin, mirroring the proverb's caution.
1 Corinthians 6:1-7Paul's admonition against believers taking each other to court illustrates a broader theme of avoiding unnecessary entanglements and financial disputes that can damage relationships and personal peace.
clarkeProverbs 11:15: "He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure."
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it - He shall find evil upon evil in it. See on Proverbs 6:1 (note).
ellicottProverbs 11:15: "He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure."
(15) He that is surety for a stranger.— Rather, for another, as Proverbs 6:1 . Is sure.—Rather, is in quiet, undisturbed by the anxieties described in Proverbs 6:3-5.
The Hebrew text uses three distinct words, all translated with variations of "surety" or "secure," which can obscure the core message. The verse isn't just about financial risk; it's highlighting that actively avoiding those entangling agreements—even a handshake pledge—is the surest path to true peace and security.
This verse is part of a larger section in Proverbs contrasting the ways of the wise and the foolish, particularly regarding financial and social entanglements. It directly follows advice on avoiding folly and distrusting the deceitful, emphasizing practical wisdom for daily life. The proverb warns against the severe consequences of carelessly guaranteeing another person's debts, especially a stranger, and promotes a secure life by avoiding such dangerous commitments.
This verse is part of a larger section in Proverbs contrasting the ways of the wise and the foolish, particularly regarding financial and social entanglements. It directly follows advice on avoiding folly and distrusting the deceitful, emphasizing practical wisdom for daily life. The proverb warns against the severe consequences of carelessly guaranteeing another person's debts, especially a stranger, and promotes a secure life by avoiding such dangerous commitments.
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"Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure." — The Hebrew text uses three distinct words, all translated with variations of "surety" or "secure," which can obscure the core message. The verse isn't just about financial risk; it's highlighting tha…
