The theme of this saying is that feasting where there is trouble is less desirable than having little to eat where there is peace.

“Better is a dry morsel with quiet” is similar in thought and expression to 15.16-17 and 16.8. “Morsel” renders a word meaning “piece” or “bit,” and in this context, as in Job 31.17, it refers to a piece of bread or more generally to a scrap of food. “Dry” describes the scrap of food as stale, something left over and unappetizing. “Quiet” renders a word that can also mean “ease” or “security.” Here it most likely refers to freedom from quarrels, strife, or trouble; and if there is a connection with verse 2, it may refer to arguments between brothers over family inheritance. In languages where bread is not baked or eaten, “a dry morsel” may be translated by the most common food; for example, “It is better to have only a few bites of rice,” “. . . a cold piece of cassava,” or “. . . a small bit of greens.”

“Than a house full of feasting with strife”: “A house full” refers to a celebration with many people present. “Feasting” renders a word referring to animal sacrifices that would first be presented to the Lord by the priest and then eaten by the worshipers as part of a feast. See, for example, 7.14-15 and 1 Sam 9.12-13. A “house full” of such “feasting” would require wealth if held often. Good News Translation calls it a “banquet . . . with trouble.” “With strife” means “strife among people” or “where there are people arguing.” “Strife” is rendered “contention” in 15.18. Contemporary English Version says “better than a feast eaten where everyone argues.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .