Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 15:17, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
American Standard Version
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
World English Bible version
Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred.
Proverbs 15:17 Meaning & Commentary
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. – Proverbs 15:17 (ESV)
If we have been alive long enough, we should have realized that money does not bring happiness. Some of the wealthiest people on earth are often the most miserable people at the same time. On the contrary, sometimes people with little are the most joyful and ‘at peace’ people you will ever meet.
When we look at Proverbs 15:17, we see this truth being touched on. The truth is that no one just eats herbs for dinner – The Bible uses an extreme example here to make a point. Imagine going to dinner at someone’s house, and they serve you a plate full of herbs. It would be better to eat nothing than a plate full of herbs!
A fattened ox, on the other hand, is an incredible meal, which would be very satisfying. However, the company we are surrounded by makes or breaks a meal – more than the food. We all would have experienced ‘bad vibes’ at some point in our lives. This is when you are in the company of others, and you can feel their disdain or hatred in the atmosphere. This is a spiritual reality, and just as we can feel hatred and bad vibes, we can also feel ‘good vibes’ and love.
Sometimes the atmosphere around us can be so bad and negative that we must get up and leave the room! Imagine sitting at a table and eating a great meal but being forced to get up and leave just because we cannot stand the atmosphere around us! We can all agree that it would be better to sit in good, loving company – rather than have a great feast with those who hate us!
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 15:17 to our lives?
We can so often miss the simple yet beautiful things in life. We don’t need to have fancy things or tons of money to ‘live the good life,’ as our culture often tries to tell us. If we have a relationship with God, and just a few people who love us, we have the ‘recipe’ to living the good life. Life in the kingdom of God encompasses everything we need to live ‘the abundant life,’ as The Bible calls It.
We see a New Testament parallel to Proverbs 15:17 in one of Paul’s letters: Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Good food and even ‘good vibes’ cannot replicate authentic kingdom living, which is life with God and life with others in the kingdom of God! 1 John 4:10-11 – In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Our fellowship and love for each other should be so strong that the world takes note of it: John 13:35 – By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. The command of The Bible is to love God and love others: Matthew 22:37-39 – And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
This is true abundant life and the life that Jesus Christ came to give us: John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. As we practice fellowship with God and fellow believers, we will experience abundant life in every regard!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name, and I thank You that You came to give me abundant life through Jesus Christ. Thank You for sharing Your love abroad in my heart for people.
As I grow in my fellowship with You and with other believers, use this to draw others into Your kingdom. I ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
