Proverbs 17:18

17:18 The one who lacks wisdom strikes hands in pledge,

and puts up financial security for his neighbor.


tn Heb “heart”; KJV, ASV “a man void of understanding”; NIV “a man lacking in judgment.”

tn The phrase “in pledge” is supplied for the sake of clarification.

tn The line uses the participle עֹרֵב (’orev) with its cognate accusative עֲרֻבָּה (’arubah), “who pledges a pledge.”

sn It is foolish to pledge security for someone’s loans (e.g., Prov 6:1-5).