Proverbs 17:9 Meaning and Explanation
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Forgiving and concealing a friend's offense preserves love; repeating it destroys friendship.
The Context of Proverbs 17:9
Proverbs celebrates the power of forgiveness and discretion in sustaining relationships.
What Does Proverbs 17:9 Mean?
The verse sets two paths side by side. The person who covers—who chooses silence and forgiveness rather than broadcasting a friend's wrong—is actively seeking and strengthening love. Concealment here is not enabling sin but choosing the relationship over the offense. By contrast, the person who rehashes the same grievance is driving a wedge between friends.
This teaches that friendship survives wrongs through deliberate forgiveness and discretion. Every time an offense is rehearsed aloud, the wound reopens and trust erodes. But when one person chooses to let a matter rest, love can heal and the friendship can deepen through the act of mercy itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 17:9
What does Proverbs 17:9 mean?
Forgiving and concealing a friend's offense preserves love; repeating it destroys friendship.
What is the context of Proverbs 17:9?
Proverbs celebrates the power of forgiveness and discretion in sustaining relationships.