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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 15:17 Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/15-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/20_Pro_15_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 15:17 - A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred." /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Better <i>is</i> a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Better <i>is</i> a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better is a portion of vegetables where there is love, Than a fattened ox <i>served</i> with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, Than a fattened ox and hatred with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Better is a dish of vegetables where there is love Than a fattened ox and hatred in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of vegetables <i>and</i> herbs where love is present Than a fattened ox served with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A simple meal with love is better than a feast where there is hatred. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Better to have a dish of vegetables where there is love than juicy steaks where there is hate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Better to eat vegetables with people you love than to eat the finest meat where there is hate. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A vegetarian meal served with love is better than a big, thick steak with a plateful of animosity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Better a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened ox where there is hatred. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Better [is] an allowance of green herbs and love there, "" Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Better is an allowance of green herbs and love there, Than a fatted ox, and hatred with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Good a ration of herbs and love there, above an ox of the stall and hatred with it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />It is better to be called to vegetables with charity, than to a fatted calf with hatred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Better a dish of herbs where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than fatted steer and hatred with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Better is a meal of vegetables and the love of The Name, than Fattened oxen with hatred.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Better is an entertainment of herbs with friendliness and kindness, than a feast of calves, with enmity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/15-17.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=2919" 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/15.htm">A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">Better</a> <a href="/hebrew/737.htm" title="737: ’ă·ru·ḥaṯ (N-fsc) -- A meal, allowance. Feminine passive participle of 'arach; a ration of food.">a dish</a> <a href="/hebrew/3419.htm" title="3419: yā·rāq (N-ms) -- Herbs, herbage. From the same as yereq; properly, green; concretely, a vegetable.">of vegetables</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">where</a> <a href="/hebrew/160.htm" title="160: wə·’a·hă·ḇāh- (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Love (noun). Feminine of 'ahab and meaning the same.">there is love</a> <a href="/hebrew/75.htm" title="75: ’ā·ḇūs (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To feed, fatten. A primitive root; to fodder.">than a fattened</a> <a href="/hebrew/7794.htm" title="7794: miš·šō·wr (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etc.). From shuwr; a bullock.">ox</a> <a href="/hebrew/8135.htm" title="8135: wə·śin·’āh- (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Hating, hatred. From sane'; hate.">with hatred.</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.…<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="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3</a></span><br />If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a></span><br />Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9-10</a></span><br />Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. / 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="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-11.htm">Philippians 4:11-12</a></span><br />I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-6.htm">1 Timothy 6:6-8</a></span><br />Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. / For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5</a></span><br />Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-15.htm">James 2:15-16</a></span><br />Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8-9</a></span><br />Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. / Show hospitality to one another without complaining.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:6</a></span><br />Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-16.htm">Psalm 37:16</a></span><br />Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Proverbs 17:1</a></span><br />Better a dry morsel in quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9</a></span><br />Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19</a></span><br />Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Proverbs 17:1</a></b></br> Better <i>is</i> a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices <i>with</i> strife.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19</a></b></br> <i>It is</i> better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/133-1.htm">Psalm 133:1</a></b></br> A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant <i>it is</i> for brethren to dwell together in unity!</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/25-30.htm">Allowance</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-16.htm">Better</a> <a href="/psalms/106-19.htm">Calf</a> <a href="/esther/5-8.htm">Dinner</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/28-17.htm">Dish</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/psalms/66-15.htm">Fatted</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-23.htm">Fattened</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-28.htm">Green</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-5.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-18.htm">Hatred</a> <a href="/psalms/106-20.htm">Herbs</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-12.htm">Love</a> <a href="/psalms/124-3.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-4.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/psalms/137-8.htm">Served</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-18.htm">Simple</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-16.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-10.htm">Vegetables</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/52-34.htm">Allowance</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-8.htm">Better</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-6.htm">Calf</a> <a href="/matthew/9-10.htm">Dinner</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-24.htm">Dish</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-30.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-6.htm">Fatted</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Fattened</a> <a href="/songs/1-16.htm">Green</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-7.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Hatred</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-25.htm">Herbs</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Love</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-19.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">Ox</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-9.htm">Served</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-25.htm">Simple</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/daniel/1-12.htm">Vegetables</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">A gentle answer turns away wrath</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Better a dish of vegetables where there is love</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the value of love and harmony over material wealth and abundance. In ancient Israel, a "dish of vegetables" would have been considered a simple, modest meal, often associated with the poor. Vegetables were readily available and did not require the resources needed to raise livestock. The emphasis here is on the quality of relationships rather than the quantity of possessions. This aligns with the biblical theme that love and peace are more valuable than riches, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3</a>, where love is prioritized over all other virtues. The simplicity of a vegetable meal symbolizes contentment and satisfaction found in loving relationships, echoing the teachings of Jesus in <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Matthew 6:25-34</a> about not worrying over material needs.<p><b>than a fattened ox with hatred</b><br>In contrast, a "fattened ox" represents wealth, luxury, and abundance. In ancient times, serving a fattened ox was a sign of prosperity and was often reserved for special occasions or feasts. However, the presence of "hatred" negates the joy and satisfaction that such abundance might bring. This reflects the biblical principle that discord and animosity can ruin even the most lavish circumstances, as seen in <a href="/james/3-16.htm">James 3:16</a>, where envy and selfish ambition lead to disorder. The proverb underscores the futility of wealth without love, echoing Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26</a> about the worthlessness of gaining the world but losing one's soul. The contrast between the two scenarios highlights the biblical truth that spiritual and relational wealth far surpasses material wealth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical insights into living a life that honors God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of this proverb is ancient Israel, where meals were significant social and familial events, and the type of food served could reflect one's wealth or status.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/meals_in_ancient_times.htm">Meals in Ancient Times</a></b><br>Meals were not just about sustenance but were also a time for fellowship and relationship-building. The contrast between a simple meal and a lavish feast highlights the importance of relational harmony over material abundance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_love_over_material_wealth.htm">The Value of Love Over Material Wealth</a></b><br>True contentment and joy come from love and relationships, not from material abundance. Prioritize love in your home and relationships over the pursuit of wealth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_hatred_and_strife.htm">The Danger of Hatred and Strife</a></b><br>A lavish lifestyle cannot compensate for a lack of love. Strife and hatred can destroy the joy that material wealth might bring. Seek peace and reconciliation in your relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_simplicity.htm">Contentment in Simplicity</a></b><br>Embrace simplicity and find contentment in the love and relationships you have. A simple life filled with love is more fulfilling than a life of luxury filled with discord.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_relational_harmony.htm">The Importance of Relational Harmony</a></b><br>Strive for harmony in your relationships, valuing love and unity over material possessions. This reflects the heart of God and brings true satisfaction.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_good_intentions_cause_harm.htm">What does the Bible say about loveless marriages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_loveless_marriages.htm">What does the Bible say about loveless marriages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_reject_some_sacrifices.htm">Proverbs 15:8: Why does a just and loving God reject certain sacrifices yet accept others if He's truly impartial?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_unjust_suffering.htm">Proverbs 17:15 declares it detestable to acquit the guilty or condemn the innocent. Why, then, do biblical narratives sometimes show God allowing what appears to be unjust suffering?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Better is a dinner (portion) of herbs where love is.</span> A dish of vegetables would be the common meal, whereas flesh would be reserved for festive occasions. Where love presides, the simplest food is cheerfully received, and contentment and happiness abound (<a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Proverbs 17:1</a>). Lesetre quotes Horace's invitation to his friend Torquatus ('Epist.,' 1:5. 1) - <p><span class="foreign">"Si potes Archiacis conviva recumbere lectis,<br />Nec modica cenare times olus omne patella,<br />Supreme te sole domi, Torquate, manebo."</span><br /><br /><span class="accented">"If, dear Torquatus, you can rest your head<br />On couches such as homely Archias made,<br />Nor on a dish of simple pot herbs frown,<br />I shall expect you as the sun goes down."</span><br /><br />(<span class="note_acc">Howes.</span>) So the old jingle - <p><span class="foreign">"Cum dat oluscula menes minuscula pace quieta,<br />Ne pete grandia lautaque prandia lite repleta."</span> A stalled ox is one taken up out of the pasture and fatted for the table. Thus we read (<a href="/1_kings/4-23.htm">1 Kings 4:23</a>) that part of Solomon's provision for one day was ten fat oxen and twenty oxen out of the pastures; and the prophets speak of "calves of the stall" (<a href="/amos/6-4.htm">Amos 6:4</a>; <a href="/malachi/4-2.htm">Malachi 4:2</a>; comp. <a href="/luke/15-23.htm">Luke 15:23</a>). The fat beef implies a sumptuous and magnificent entertainment; but such a feast is little worth if accompanied with feelings of hatred, jealousy, and ill will. This and the preceding verse emphasize and explain ver. 15. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/15-17.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">Better</span><br /><span class="heb">ט֤וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a dish</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲרֻחַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ru·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_737.htm">Strong's 737: </a> </span><span class="str2">A meal, allowance</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of vegetables</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֭רָק</span> <span class="translit">(yā·rāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3419.htm">Strong's 3419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Green, a vegetable</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there is love</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַהֲבָה־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’a·hă·ḇāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_160.htm">Strong's 160: </a> </span><span class="str2">Love (noun)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">than a fattened</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֝ב֗וּס</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇūs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_75.htm">Strong's 75: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feed, fatten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ox</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשּׁ֥וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(miš·šō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7794.htm">Strong's 7794: </a> </span><span class="str2">A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with hatred.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשִׂנְאָה־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śin·’āh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8135.htm">Strong's 8135: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, hatred</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/15-17.htm">Proverbs 15:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/15-17.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/15-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 15:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 15:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/15-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 15:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 15:18" /></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>