FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation Proverbs 27:18
KJVWhoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Read it in context
Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
Start reading at Proverbs 27:1 (Proverbs 27:1 to Proverbs 27:27).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
- 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
- 27:2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
- 27:3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.
- 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
- 27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
- 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
- 27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
- 27:8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
- 27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
- 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 neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
- 27:11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
- 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
- 27:13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
- 27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
- 27:15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.
- 27:16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
- 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
- 27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
- 27:19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
- 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
- 27:21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
- 27:22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
- 27:23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
- 27:24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
- 27:25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
- 27:26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
- 27:27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 25:1–29:27): The collected proverbs instruct learners, including those concerned with royal service and public conduct. The named roles are subjects of instruction rather than one assembled audience. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Do Not Boast about Tomorrow. Read Proverbs 27:1 through Proverbs 27:27 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Do Not Boast about Tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1 to Proverbs 27:27). Start reading at Proverbs 27:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 27:1, Proverbs 27:27, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Solomon, with Agur and Lemuel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names Solomon, and also Agur and King Lemuel, and notes that Hezekiah's men copied out further proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1Proverbs 25:1Proverbs 30:1Proverbs 31:1
Early traditionTradition credits Solomon as the principal author.
What is debatedThe book itself describes later collecting, so it reached its final form after Solomon.
Related passages
- keepeth Song 8:12 1 Cor 9:7,13
- so Prov 17:2 Prov 22:29 Gen 24:2-3 Gen 39:2-5,22-23 Exod 24:13 2 Kgs 3:11 2 Kgs 5:2-3,25,27 Mark 10:43
- shall be 1 Sam 2:30 Ps 123:2 Matt 24:25,46 Matt 25:21-22 Luke 12:37,43-44 John 12:26 1 Pet 2:18,21
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 27
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs identifies several collections and contributors. Its sayings teach wisdom in conduct; a general observation is not automatically an unconditional promise for every individual circumstance. Read contrasts and parallel lines together.
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
Connection to the wholeExtended appeals introduce the moral and relational setting in which the shorter sayings should be read.
interpretation The proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 10:1–22:16FocusWise and foolish conduct
Connection to the wholeThe shorter sayings teach through contrasts, comparisons, and observations across the everyday life of the community.
interpretation Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Connection to the wholeThis collection continues the instruction through longer admonitions and observations, including further sayings of the wise.
interpretation FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
Connection to the wholeThe sayings identified with Hezekiah's copying activity extend the collection's instruction concerning conduct and leadership.
interpretation The words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Connection to the wholeAgur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
interpretation The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter joins instruction concerning rulers with an ordered portrait of a woman's capable and generous work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.