A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
A brother who has been hurt or wronged is harder to win back than conquering a fortified city, and their arguments are like the iron bars of a castle.
This verse is saying that damaged relationships with close friends or family are extremely difficult to repair and can create barriers that seem nearly impossible to break through.
📚 Historical Context
Proverbs was written in ancient Israel during the time of King Solomon, as a collection of wise sayings intended to guide people in everyday decisions and moral living. This verse uses the imagery of a fortified city and castle bars, which were familiar in the ancient Near East where cities were often protected by strong walls to withstand sieges and invasions. Such metaphors highlight the challenges of human relationships in a culture that valued family and community bonds.
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