Proverbs 27 Study Notes

PLUS

27:1 See Jms 4:13-16.

27:2 “Self-praise is unfitting because it destroys one’s relationships with God and with people. The Lord detests the proud, and society dislikes and discounts the boaster” (Bruce Waltke).

27:3 The Bible frequently refers to the immeasurable amount of sand at the sea. But having to put up with a fool (’ewiyl) expressing his aggravation (see “hot-tempered” at 21:19) is a worse burden.

27:4 On jealousy, see notes at 6:34-35; 14:30.

27:5 For better . . . than proverbs see 15:16-17. To express a reprimand showing that one wants the best for another (3:11-12; 6:23) is better than love with no action.

27:6 A friend imparts constructive criticism out of love, but an enemy gives kisses (24:26) with deceit in mind.

27:7 On honeycomb, see note at 24:13-14.

27:8 The word translated wandering (cp. Jb 15:23; Hs 9:17) could also be translated “fleeing” (Ps 55:7; Is 16:2; Jr 4:25; 9:10).

27:9 Being anointed with oil and enjoying incense were ancient pleasures. The second line could be saying that the sweetness (see “pleasant” in note at 16:21) of a friend comes from sincere counsel.

27:10 On better . . . than proverbs, see note at 15:16-17. Long-term friendships are at times more dependable than blood relations (17:17; 18:24).

27:11 A parent might be publicly criticized if he cannot control his own children (1Tm 3:4-5).

27:12 On punished, see note at 22:3.

27:13 On security for a stranger, see note at 6:1-2.

27:14 There are two possible interpretations: For someone who is not a morning person, a loud greeting early in the morning will be annoying. Or, a person who rushes over to shout a blessing is probably insincere, and God will curse a hypocrite.

27:15-16 On dripping, see note at 19:13. Controlling a nagging wife seems as impossible as stopping the wind or grabbing oil in one’s fist.

27:17 As a file sharpens an ax or a sharpening steel a carving knife, good friends encourage one another to grow in wisdom and godliness, even if it requires painful criticism (v. 6).

27:18 If a person patiently serves his employer with integrity (Eph 6:5; Col 3:22; 1Tm 6:1-2; Ti 2:9-10; 1Pt 2:18), God will see to it that he is properly rewarded—if not in this life, then in eternity.

27:19 The heart is like a mirror that shows true character (see 4:23). To know one’s own or another person’s heart is to know the person truly, but that is difficult for humans to do (14:10; 15:11; 17:3; 20:5; 24:12; 25:3).

27:20 Sheol (see note at 1:12-13) and Abaddon (see note at 15:11) represent death, which can always take more victims (30:16). People’s eyes represent their insatiable capacity for lust, envy, and greed (30:15).

27:21 Praise here could mean the praise a person receives or the praise he gives. This proverb has several possible meanings. As a crucible refines silver . . . a person should evaluate the praise he receives before he accepts it, dismissing flattery and insincerity. If you wonder about the praise a person receives or gives, look to the person; his character will show whether it is genuine. Over time, a person can refine the praise he receives or gives. The Hebrew could also be translated, “and a man according to his praise.” That is, a man is tested (17:3) and proven by what kind of praise he receives and how graciously he receives it.

27:22 A mortar was a bowl made of fired clay or carved from stone. A pestle was a stone or fired-clay rod with a rounded tip. The worker would put a small amount of grain (hulled barley, in this case) into the mortar and pound and grind it until it became meal or flour. Foolishness taints every molecule of a fool (Hb ’ewiyl).

27:23-27 Just as a farmer cares for his livestock, Solomon here instructed his son the prince to pay attention to his people. While wealth is fickle (23:4-5) and a dynasty can end, flocks and crops (people and land) are a steady source of sustenance if they are well maintained (24:27). After hay was harvested new grass appeared for grazing. Later, grain was harvested, which along with the hay provided feed for livestock. Lambs provided wool. Females were kept for breeding and milk, while some male goats were sold for income that could be reinvested. All people in positions of leadership should be good stewards of their human and material resources.