Proverbs 25:17, "Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you," is a proverb that advises against overstaying your welcome or visiting too often. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house": This suggests that you should not visit your neighbor's house frequently. "Seldom" means infrequently or rarely.
"Lest he be weary of you": Visiting too often can tire or annoy your neighbor. They may become weary of your presence, even if they initially enjoy your company.
"And hate you": Excessive and unwelcome visits can ultimately lead to negative feelings, even to the point of dislike or hatred.
In essence, the verse is a call for:
Respecting Boundaries: Understanding and honoring your neighbor's personal space and time.
Avoiding Intrusiveness: Not imposing yourself on others or becoming a burden to them.
Preserving Relationships: Maintaining a healthy relationship by not overstaying your welcome and causing annoyance.
Moderation: Practicing temperance and moderation in your interactions with others.
The proverb highlights the importance of not taking advantage of hospitality or overusing a relationship. It's a practical piece of advice for maintaining good neighborly relations by being mindful of the other person's feelings and needs.
Proverbs 25:17, "Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you," is a proverb that advises against overstaying your welcome or visiting too often. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house": This suggests that you should not visit your neighbor's house frequently. "Seldom" means infrequently or rarely.
"Lest he be weary of you": Visiting too often can tire or annoy your neighbor. They may become weary of your presence, even if they initially enjoy your company.
"And hate you": Excessive and unwelcome visits can ultimately lead to negative feelings, even to the point of dislike or hatred.
In essence, the verse is a call for:
Respecting Boundaries: Understanding and honoring your neighbor's personal space and time.
Avoiding Intrusiveness: Not imposing yourself on others or becoming a burden to them.
Preserving Relationships: Maintaining a healthy relationship by not overstaying your welcome and causing annoyance.
Moderation: Practicing temperance and moderation in your interactions with others.
The proverb highlights the importance of not taking advantage of hospitality or overusing a relationship. It's a practical piece of advice for maintaining good neighborly relations by being mindful of the other person's feelings and needs.