Proverbs 27:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do not forsake your friend and your father 's friend, and do not go to your brother 's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

NIV: Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

NASB: Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend, And do not go to your brother’s house on the day of your disaster; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.

CSB: Don’t abandon your friend or your father’s friend, and don’t go to your brother’s house in your time of calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

NLT: Never abandon a friend — either yours or your father’s. When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance. It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Solomon's point here (Proverbs 25:1) is not that we should ignore family. Taken as a whole, the lesson is that we should not depend on blood relatives simply because they are blood relatives. Friends and neighbors can be just as helpful in a crisis. In fact, it's possible for friendships to become closer than family ties (Proverbs 17:17). Rather than look to relatives who are distant—physically or emotionally—we should first rely on those around us.

The second half of this proverb seems to be an expression in and of itself. That makes this verse almost a "proverb within a proverb," where Solomon cites a known turn of phrase to emphasize his point. Blood relationships have obvious meaning, but the real measure of a relationship is in love, not simply birth. Scripture includes several examples and lessons emphasizing this (Luke 8:20–21; 1 Samuel 18:1).

We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. In our busy lives we may not take time to cultivate the kind of friendship that is loving, but everyone needs to be a good neighbor and to have a good neighbor. Unfortunately, in crowded cities many people cannot even name their next-door neighbor. Second Kings 4:1–7 relates the story of the desperate plight of the widow of one of the sons of the prophets. She was deeply in debt and had nothing but a jar of oil. At Elisha's directive, she borrowed containers from her neighbors. She poured oil from her jar into these and they filled with oil, which she could sell to pay off her debts. Apparently, the widow enjoyed a good relationship with her close neighbors.

Wise sayings from this chapter warn about overconfidence and bragging. Solomon also encourages positive friendships and the wisdom they provide. He offers several notes about self-examination and the need for personal accountability. Many of the proverbs in this passage touch on the concept of speaking truth in love, even if it's not what the other person would like to hear. The end of the chapter uses the example of livestock to make a point about good stewardship.

This continues a collection of approximately one hundred proverbs associated with Solomon. King Hezekiah's men, probably his scribes, copied these from other scrolls (Proverbs 25:1). This chapter includes references to overconfidence, the value of friendships, and the importance of good stewardship. The assembly of Solomon's wise teachings continues through the end of chapter 29.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.