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Don`t forsake your friend and your father`s friend. Don`t go to your brother`s house in the day of your disaster: Better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother.
Verse Takeaways
1
Heart Proximity Over Blood Relation
Commentators explain that this proverb prioritizes genuine friendship over mere biological ties. The contrast between a "neighbor that is near" and a "brother far off" is about emotional and spiritual closeness, not physical location. In a time of crisis, a loyal friend who is close in heart is more valuable than a relative who is distant in affection.
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6
18th Century
Presbyterian
Better is a neighbor who is really near in heart and spirit, than a brother who though closer by blood, is far off in fe…
19th Century
Anglican
Better is a neighbour that is near. See above on Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 18:24. “Near” and “far off”—i.e.…
Baptist
Your own friend, and your father's friend, forsake not;
Have few friends, but stick closely to them. Above all, cleave closely to t…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Your own friend, and your father's friend forsake not Who have been long tried and proved, and found faithful. These…
Do not depend on a relative for relief, merely for the sake of kinship; apply to those who are nearby and will help in need. But there is a Friend …
