18:24

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

24a A man of many companions may come to ruin,

24b but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

The main contrast is between casual or unreliable companions and a true friend. It is implied that only a true friend is loyal in times of trouble. By contrast, someone with casual friends who are not willing to help him may come to ruin.

18:24a–b

companions…friend: Depending on the context, the word companions can refer to a person’s fellow man, a neighbor, an associate, or a friend. In this context, where it contrasts with friend, it implies a superficial or unreliable friend.

The parallel word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as friend is literally “lover.” In this context, it refers to a true, close, or loyal friend. It does not imply a romantic or sexual relationship.

18:24a

A man of many companions may come to ruin: There are several textual and interpretation issues in this clause. They involve the phrase A man of many companions and the phrase may come to ruin. The following notes will discuss the main options. These options will combine both textual and interpretation issues. Some versions follow a recommended option for one issue, but not for the other issue.

A man of many companions: In Hebrew, the word many is not explicit. There are two ways to spell the first Hebrew word in this phrase. There are three main interpretations of the phrase:

(1) The phrase says: “There are friends/companions.” For example:

There are friends (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Some friends (New American Bible)

(2) The phrase says: “A man of friends.” This phrase refers to a person who has friends. The number of friends is not relevant. For example:

A person who has friends (NET Bible)

(3) The phrase says: “A man of friends.” This is an idiom that refers to a person who has many friends. For example:

A man of many companions (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretations (1) or (2), along with most versions. Both of these interpretations imply that the companions are casual friends or acquaintances. It is also implied that they may not be loyal or reliable. The main contrast is about the quality of the friends, not the number of friends.

may come to ruin: In Hebrew, this phrase is a single word that can come from two different verbs:

(1) This word comes from a verb that means “inflict harm ” or “bring ruin.” In this context, it means that the unreliable friends will cause a person to be harmed or ruined. For example:

bring ruin on us (New American Bible)

(2) This word comes from a verb that means “associate with.” In this context, it means that a casual friend will spend time socializing. For example:

to keep one company (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(3) This word comes from the same verb as option (1). It has the implied meaning “pretends to be a friend.” For example:

pretend to be friends (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most versions and scholars. This is the most straightforward interpretation of the Hebrew verb.

Some ways to translate the clause in 18:24a are:

A person who has friends may be harmed by them (NET Bible)
-or-
Some friends bring ruin on us (New American Bible)
-or-
Friends can destroy one another (God’s Word)

18:24b

but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother: This clause means that a true friend can be relied on for help in times of need or trouble. Such a friend has a closer relationship than even a brother or close family member. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
but a real friend will be more loyal than a brother (New Century Version)
-or-
but a loving friend can stick closer than family (God’s Word)

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