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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 18:1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/20_Pro_18_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 18:1 - The Selfishness of the Unfriendly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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they lash out at common sense.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh <i>and</i> intermeddleth with all wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />One who separates himself seeks <i>his own</i> desire; He quarrels against all sound wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He who separates himself seeks <i>his own</i> desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He who separates himself seeks <i>his own</i> desire, He breaks out <i>in dispute</i> against all sound wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It's selfish and stupid to think only of yourself and to sneer at people who have sense. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, and rageth against all sound wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A loner is out to get what he wants for himself. He opposes all sound reasoning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />People who do not get along with others are interested only in themselves; they will disagree with what everyone else knows is right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever isolates himself pursues selfish ends; he resists all sound advice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He who is separated seeks [his own] desire, "" He interferes with all wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For an object of desire he who is separated doth seek, With all wisdom he intermeddleth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He separating himself will seek according to desire; he will be irritated with every purpose.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that hath a mind to depart from a friend seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever has a will to withdraw from a friend, seeks occasions; he shall be reproached at all times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />One who is alienated seeks a pretext, with all persistence picks a quarrel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The one who lives alone is self-indulgent, showing contempt for all who have sound judgment.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />WHEN a man is inactive he imagines lust and mocks at good instruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />In his idleness one meditates on lust and mocks at good instruction.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And snarlest against all sound wisdom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/18-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3512" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/18.htm">The Selfishness of the Unfriendly</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6504.htm" title="6504: nip̄·rāḏ (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To divide. A primitive root; to break through, i.e. Spread or separate.">He who isolates himself</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: yə·ḇaq·qêš (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">pursues</a> <a href="/hebrew/8378.htm" title="8378: lə·ṯa·’ă·wāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- A desire. From 'avah; a longing; by implication, a delight.">selfish desires;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1566.htm" title="1566: yiṯ·gal·lā‘ (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3ms) -- To expose, lay bare. A primitive root; to be obstinate.">he rebels</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">against all</a> <a href="/hebrew/8454.htm" title="8454: tū·šî·yāh (N-fs) -- Or tushiyah; from an unused root probably meaning to substantiate; support or ability, i.e. help, an undertaking, understanding.">sound judgment.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-16.htm">James 3:16</a></span><br />For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3-4</a></span><br />Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-24.htm">1 Corinthians 10:24</a></span><br />No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-20.htm">Galatians 5:20</a></span><br />idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-10.htm">Romans 12:10</a></span><br />Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-5.htm">1 Corinthians 13:5</a></span><br />It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-2.htm">2 Timothy 3:2</a></span><br />For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-1.htm">James 4:1-2</a></span><br />What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you? / You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet, but are unable to obtain it. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm">1 Peter 5:5</a></span><br />Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-1.htm">Romans 15:1-2</a></span><br />We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. / Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm">1 Corinthians 8:9</a></span><br />Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Matthew 20:25-28</a></span><br />But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-2.htm">Ephesians 4:2-3</a></span><br />with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, / and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom.</p><p class="hdg">seeketh</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Proverbs 2:1-6</a></b></br> My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/13-11.htm">Matthew 13:11,44</a></b></br> He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/4-11.htm">Mark 4:11</a></b></br> And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all <i>these</i> things are done in parables:</p><p class="hdg">intermeddleth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-10.htm">Proverbs 14:10</a></b></br> The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Proverbs 17:14</a></b></br> The beginning of strife <i>is as</i> when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-3.htm">Proverbs 20:3,19</a></b></br> <i>It is</i> an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Break</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-16.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/78-30.htm">Estranged</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-10.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-28.htm">Good</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-3.htm">Intermeddleth</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-23.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-28.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-13.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/job/33-10.htm">Pretexts</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-5.htm">Private</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-4.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-9.htm">Pursues</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-10.htm">Quarrels</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-16.htm">Rageth</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Seeks</a> <a href="/psalms/119-36.htm">Selfish</a> <a href="/galatians/5-20.htm">Selfishness</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/psalms/92-9.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/psalms/22-14.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Separates</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Separateth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-30.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Vehement</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-24.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/25-15.htm">Break</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-2.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Estranged</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-12.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-2.htm">Good</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-3.htm">Intermeddleth</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-5.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-18.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-2.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm">Pretexts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-14.htm">Private</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-7.htm">Pursues</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Quarrels</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Rageth</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-15.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-15.htm">Seeks</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-6.htm">Selfish</a> <a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Selfishness</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-2.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/isaiah/56-3.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-4.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-7.htm">Separates</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-18.htm">Separateth</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm">Vehement</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-4.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">A fool delights not in understanding</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In ancient Israel, community was vital for survival, spiritual growth, and accountability. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of fellowship (<a href="/hebrews/10-24.htm">Hebrews 10:24-25</a>) and warns against the dangers of isolation, which can lead to spiritual decline and vulnerability to temptation (<a href="/ecclesiastes/4-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:9-12</a>).<p><b>pursues selfish desires</b><br>Selfish desires are often linked to the sinful nature of humanity, as seen in <a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a>, where desire leads to sin. In the cultural context of the Bible, pursuing personal desires over communal or divine will was seen as folly. The pursuit of selfish desires contrasts with the biblical call to selflessness and serving others, as exemplified by Jesus Christ (<a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3-8</a>).<p><b>he rebels against all sound judgment</b><br>Rebellion against sound judgment is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with pride and folly (<a href="/proverbs/12-15.htm">Proverbs 12:15</a>). Sound judgment is rooted in the fear of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>) and is characterized by wisdom and discernment. The rebellious nature of ignoring wise counsel is highlighted in the story of Rehoboam, who rejected the advice of the elders (<a href="/1_kings/12-6.htm">1 Kings 12:6-11</a>). This phrase underscores the biblical principle that true wisdom comes from God and is often mediated through community and godly counsel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_isolator.htm">The Isolator</a></b><br>This person chooses to separate themselves from others, often driven by self-centered motives.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_community.htm">The Community</a></b><br>Implicit in the text is the presence of a community or group from which the isolator withdraws.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wise_counsel.htm">The Wise Counsel</a></b><br>Represents the collective wisdom and sound judgment that the isolator rejects.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_author.htm">The Author</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed to King Solomon, known for his wisdom and understanding of human nature.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a></b><br>Ancient Israel, where community life and collective wisdom were highly valued.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_isolation.htm">The Danger of Isolation</a></b><br>Isolation can lead to a narrow focus on self-interest, which is contrary to the biblical call to love and serve others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_community.htm">The Value of Community</a></b><br>Engaging with a community provides accountability, encouragement, and wisdom that one cannot find alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/rebellion_against_wisdom.htm">Rebellion Against Wisdom</a></b><br>Rejecting sound judgment is a form of rebellion against God’s design for human relationships and community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Believers should examine their motives for withdrawing from others and seek to align their desires with God’s will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuing_godly_wisdom.htm">Pursuing Godly Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom involves seeking counsel and being open to correction, rather than isolating oneself.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_stance_on_selfishness.htm">What is the Bible's view on selfishness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_toxic_cult.htm">What defines a toxic cult?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_sam_2_30-36_contradict_ezekiel_18.htm">In 1 Samuel 2:30-36, God pronounces judgment on Eli's family--does this contradict later scriptural teachings on individual accountability (e.g., Ezekiel 18)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_moab's_fate_sealed_in_jer._48_1-39.htm">Why does Jeremiah 48:1-39 repeatedly portray divine retaliation against Moab with no apparent path for redemption?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XVIII.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">Through desire a man, having separated himself </span>. . .--This should probably be rendered, <span class= "ital">The separatist seeketh after his own desire, against all improvement he shows his teeth. </span>The man of small mind is here described, who will only follow his own narrow aims, who holds himself aloof from men of wider views than his own, and will not join with them in the furtherance of philanthropic or religious plans, but rather opposes them with all his power, as he can see nothing but mischief in them. (For his temper of mind, comp. <a href="/context/john/7-47.htm" title="Then answered them the Pharisees, Are you also deceived?">John 7:47-49</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Intermeddleth.--</span>See above on <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm" title="The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.">Proverbs 17:14</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Wisdom.</span>--See above on <a href="/proverbs/2-7.htm" title="He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.">Proverbs 2:7</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - This is a difficult verse, and has obtained various interpretations. The Authorized Version gives, <span class="cmt_word">Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> a man who has an earnest desire for self-improvement will hold himself aloof from worldly entanglements, and, occupying himself wholly in this pursuit, will become conversant with all wisdom. This gives good sense, and offers a contrast to the fool in ver. 2, who "hath no delight in understanding." But the Hebrew does not rightly bear this interpretation. Its conciseness occasions ambiguity. Literally, <span class="accented">For his desire a man who separates himself seeks</span>; <span class="accented">in</span> (or <span class="accented">against</span>) <span class="accented">all wisdom he mingles himself.</span> There is a doubt whether the life of isolation is praised or censured in this verse. Aben Ezra and others of Pharisaic tendencies adopt the former alternative, and explain pretty much as the Authorized Version, thus: "He who out of love of wisdom divorces himself from home, country, or secular pursuits, such a man will mix with the wise and prudent, and be conversant with such." But the maxim seems rather to blame this separation, though here, again, there is a variety of interpretation. Delitzsch, Ewald, and others translate, "He that dwelleth apart seeketh pleasure, against all sound wisdom he showeth his teeth" (comp. <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Proverbs 17:14</a>). Nowack, after Bertheau, renders, "He who separates himself goes after his own desire; with all that is useful he falls into a rage." Thus the maxim is directed against the conceited, self-willed man, who sets himself against public opinion, delights in differing from received customs, takes no counsel from others, thinks nothing of public interests, but in his mean isolation attends only to his own private ends and fancies (comp. <a href="/hebrews/10-25.htm">Hebrews 10:25</a>). The Septuagint and Vulgate (followed by Hitzig) read in the first clause, for <span class="accented">taavah</span>, "desire<span class="accented"></span>," <span class="accented">taanah</span>, "occasion;" thus: "He who wishes to separate from a friend seeks occasions; but at all time he will be worthy of censure." The word translated "wisdom" (<span class="accented">tushiyah</span>) also means "substance," "existence;" hence the rendering, "at all time," <span class="accented">omni existentia</span>, equivalent to <span class="accented">omni tempore.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/18-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He who isolates himself</span><br /><span class="heb">נִפְרָ֑ד</span> <span class="translit">(nip̄·rāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6504.htm">Strong's 6504: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break through, spread, separate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pursues</span><br /><span class="heb">יְבַקֵּ֣שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḇaq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">selfish desires;</span><br /><span class="heb">לְֽ֭תַאֲוָה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ṯa·’ă·wāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8378.htm">Strong's 8378: </a> </span><span class="str2">A longing, a delight</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he rebels</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתְגַּלָּֽע׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiṯ·gal·lā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1566.htm">Strong's 1566: </a> </span><span class="str2">To expose, lay bare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against all</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sound judgment.</span><br /><span class="heb">תּ֝וּשִׁיָּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(tū·šî·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8454.htm">Strong's 8454: </a> </span><span class="str2">Support, ability, help, an undertaking, understanding</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:1 An unfriendly man pursues selfishness and defies (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/17-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 17:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/18-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 18:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 18:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>