Proverbs 27:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.

NIV: One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

NASB: A satisfied person despises honey, But to a hungry person any bitter thing is sweet.

CSB: A person who is full tramples on a honeycomb, but to a hungry person, any bitter thing is sweet.

NLT: A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.

KJV: The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

NKJV: A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

When one is full, even tasty foods are unappealing. When one is starving, even unpleasant food seems enjoyable. In the ancient world, honey was the primary example of something sweet and delicious. Even so, a person can only stomach so much at once; eventually, even the thought of eating more brings nausea.

There is also a poetic application to this lesson. Likely, this proverb is intended to highlight the different attitudes of wealthy and impoverished people. A wealthy person may not appreciate what they are offered; a poor person appreciates even a small gift. Ingratitude and entitlement are temptations for anyone, but especially for those used to getting what they want. This is a major reason Jesus warned about the spiritual risks associated with wealth (Matthew 19:23).

To despise what God has provided would be ungrateful; it is appropriate to be thankful for what we have. James tells us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17). Paul wrote to Timothy about false teachers who mandated celibacy and abstinence from certain foods. He declares that God created those foods "to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:3–4).

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.