Definition: Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbourâÂÂs house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this proverb from Proverbs 25:17. Itâs a really insightful message about respect and boundaries. Hereâs what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Donât be overly eager or demanding to take everything from others. Don't push your limits or constantly ask for more than you're comfortable with. Let's unpack it piece by piece: âWithdraw thy footâŚâ : This is a figurative way of saying "don't get too involved." Itâs like taking off a step so you don't make yourself overly noticeable or demanding. ââŚfrom thy neighbourâs houseâ : Your neighbor here refers to someone you have a relationship with â perhaps a friend, family member, colleague, or even someone you interact with regularly. âlest he be weary of theeâŚâ : This is the key part. It means "if you keep pushing and demanding, he might become annoyed or frustrated." Think of it like his patience wearing thin. ââŚand [so] hate thee.â : This is a warning â if he becomes annoyed, he might even feel resentful towards you. He might start to dislike you because youâre constantly needing something from him. In short: Don't be overly needy or pushy. Respect the boundaries of others and don't take advantage of their generosity. Why is this important? This verse emphasizes the importance of healthy relationships. It encourages us to: Be mindful of our requests: Donât ask for too much, too soon. Respect othersâ time and space: Recognize that everyone has limits and needs their own privacy. Practice patience: Don't expect constant attention or favors. Itâs a gentle reminder to be considerate and avoid causing unnecessary conflict. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Proverbs? Discuss the broader themes of this proverb (like boundaries, humility, etc.)?