SEV Biblia, Chapter 18:17
¶ El justo es el primero en su pleito; y su adversario viene, y le busca.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:17
Verse 17. 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 neighbour cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and brings out truth and fact.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just , etc.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17 - It is well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a better judgmen of ourselves.
Original Hebrew
צדיק 6662 הראשׁון 7223 בריבו 7379 יבא 935 רעהו 935 וחקרו׃ 2713
