SEV Biblia, Chapter 18:16
¶ El don del hombre le ensancha el camino, y le lleva delante de los grandes.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:16
Verse 16. A man's gift maketh room for him ] It is, and ever has been, a base and degrading practice in Asiatic countries, to bring a gift or present to the great man into whose presence you come. Without this there is no audience, no favour, no justice. This arose from the circumstance that men must not approach the altar of God without an offering. Potentates, wishing to be considered as petty gods, demanded a similar homage: ] Munera, crede mihi, capiunt hominesquedeosque; Placatur donis Jupiter ipse suis.
OVID "Believe me, gifts prevail much with both gods and men: even Jupiter himself is pleased with his own offerings."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. A man’s gift maketh room for him , etc.] Or “enlarges him” f529 ; brings him out of prison, or, or out of straits and difficulties with which he, has, been pressed; or it makes way for him to a judge, and for a favourable hearing of his cause; or it enlarges his acquaintance, and gains him respect among men; and bringeth him before great men ; it opens a way for him into the presence and company of great men, being a fee to their servants; or with it he procures a place to wait on them. It is not necessary to understand it of a gift by way of bribe; but to introduce a person to another, and render him acceptable, and appease anger; as in the cases of Jacob and Abigail, ( Genesis 32:20 43:11 1 Samuel 25:27).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16 - Blessed be the Lord, who makes us welcome to come to his throne without money and without price. May his gifts make room for him in ou souls.
Original Hebrew
מתן 4976 אדם 120 ירחיב 7337 לו ולפני 6440 גדלים 1419 ינחנו׃ 5148
