Proverbs 25:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen

NIV: it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes

NASB: For it is better that it be said to you, 'Come up here,' Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

CSB: for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here!" than to demote you in plain view of a noble.

NLT: It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something,

KJV: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

NKJV: For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

This proverb began in the prior verse (Proverbs 25:6) by advising against being too prideful around those in power or authority. It is better to be humble, and have others speak on your behalf. It's embarrassing to be "put in one's place" when others don't view you as highly as you view yourself.

In His parable of the wedding feast, Jesus delivered nearly this exact lesson. He said, "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you" (Luke 14:8–10).

Some translations include a Hebrew phrase referring to "sight" or "view." Most scholars think this applies to the current proverb. That would imply one should avoid being embarrassed in front of the noble person in front of them. Other translations associate this phrase with the following proverb, which cautions against hastily taking matters to court. The essential lesson of each of the two proverbs remains the same, regardless of to which the phrase about vision belongs.

Proverbs 25:1–10 contains sage advice regarding kingship, both for the ruler and their subjects. Avoiding arrogance is also mentioned. It's better to be humble, then praised by others, instead of being dismissed for exaggeration. This extends also to disputes and lawsuits. Most disputes are best settled in private, when such is possible.

This chapter includes more statements from Solomon, copied by scribes of King Hezekiah many years later. The first section speaks about the risks of arrogance. The next gives comparisons which teach spiritual lessons. The last segment teaches about relationships, reputation, and self-control.

Chapter 25 begins to relate more wise statements from Solomon. Depending on where they are divided or combined, these amount to around one hundred portions of godly wisdom. These were compiled and added about 250 years after Solomon's reign by men under the direction of King Hezekiah. The phrasing used in verse 1 suggests these were copied from other records into the scrolls associated with the prior proverbs. This collection runs through the end of chapter 29.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.