A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
A person who wants to have friends must be friendly to others, and there is a friend who stays closer to you than even a brother would.
This verse is saying that if you want good friendships, you need to be a good friend yourself, and some friends can become closer than family.
📚 Historical Context
The Book of Proverbs was written during the time of King Solomon in ancient Israel, around the 10th century BC, as a collection of wise sayings to guide people in everyday decisions and moral living. This verse highlights the cultural emphasis on building loyal relationships in a society where friendships often provided essential support, protection, and social stability. It draws from common observations of human interactions to underscore the value of genuine commitment in friendships, possibly alluding to deeper covenantal bonds in Israelite life.
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