Proverbs 27:12
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and and are punished.
– Proverbs 27:12
Proverbs 27:11
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
– Proverbs 27:11
Proverbs 27:10
Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.
– Proverbs 27:10
Proverbs 27:9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
– Proverbs 27:9
Pleasing aromas can refresh, cheer, and energize. The point of the saying is likening hearty counsel from a friend to ointment and perfume in the ability to rejoice the heart. This saying speaks to the power of good words. Various proverbs speak to the restorative and refreshing power of good words (Proverbs 12:25; 15:23, 30; 16:24; 17:22; 25:25).
Proverbs 27:8
As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
– Proverbs 27:8
This saying is difficult and commentators vary widely on interpretation. The likeness between a bird leaving her nest and a man wandering, presumably, from home seems to be about vulnerability and leaving protection. We might make a connection of place with way of wisdom. In this sense, it is a fool that leaves the way of wisdom (Proverbs 17:24), which results in destruction (Proverbs 21:16).
Proverbs 27:7
The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
– Proverbs 27:7
This saying is not about food exactly but about the proportional relationship between need and appreciation. The word for loatheth means to walk on and expresses great contempt. Over-indulgence produces fatigue and pride ruins enjoyment. What could be good enough to the proud heart? The hungry soul is a needy soul, not as pretentious or picky as the sated one. The bitter is sweet, appreciated, and enjoyed by the truly hungered. Spiritual application could be made as the words of Jesus to Simon the Pharisee indicate, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little” (Luke 7:47).
Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
– Proverbs 27:6
Verse 6 continues from verse 5. Faithful wounds are the result of open rebuke, mentioned previously. The word for faithful means to build up or support and can express the nurturing relationship of parents to children. It may wound, or inflict some pain, but is ultimately out of love and for good. The word for deceitful means abundant and describes the profuse kisses of an enemy. The thought of deceit is present and contrasts with faithful. We infer from the saying that faithful wounds from a friend will be few because they are out of love and meant for good, while the enemies flatteries will be poured out. Wisdom warns to beware of flattery and weigh words carefully (Proverbs 2:16; 6:24; 7:5, 21; 10:18; 20:19; 26:23-26, 28; 29:5).
Proverbs 27:5
Open rebuke is better than secret love.
– Proverbs 27:5
Verses 5-6 address an issue of true friendship—open and direct communication. The word for rebuke means reproof, or correction. Rebuke sounds harsh and hateful to our ears today, but receiving it is crucial to acquiring wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-23). Refusing reproof is to embrace death and destruction (Proverbs 1:24-33). The way we respond to rebuke reveals whether we are foolish or wise (Proverbs 9:8; 23:9).This saying speaks to the value of a friend who will speak up when it is needed. The word for open means to uncover and here refers to one not hiding a needed reproof. It contrasts with secret, which means to cover, or conceal. This is a “better than” saying where the sting of open rebuke is to be preferred to the hidden correction left unspoken, allowing us to go on in folly. A love that doesn’t manifest itself is worthless (Proverbs 3:12; 13:24; 23:13; 1 John 3:18).
Proverbs 27:13
Posted by Jeff Short on January 10, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
Wisdom consistently warns against rash pledges and sureties (Proverbs 6:1-4; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26-27). This saying essentially parallels the one in Proverbs 20:16. The inclusion here could be an example or a warning for the previous saying that a simple person doesn’t perceive risks and comes to suffer the consequences.– Proverbs 27:13
Share this:
Filed under 27, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Folly, Pledge, Proverbs, Surety