Proverbs 27:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.

NIV: The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.

NASB: One who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And one who cares for his master will be honored.

CSB: Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever looks after his master will be honored.

NLT: As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.

KJV: Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

NKJV: Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored.

Whether found in the Bible or elsewhere, a "proverb" is a short statement of common sense or wisdom. These are not absolute rules, but they do represent typical cases. Here, Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) notes that diligence and hard work usually pay off. A person who puts in the necessary work will—in most cases—see the expected rewards of those efforts. Farmers can't reap crops unless they plant and tend to them. Athletes succeed because they've invested time and effort in training. An employee is more likely to be honored and promoted by an employer when they do good work. Any righteous effort to work hard, for the right things, will ultimately be rewarded by God (Ephesians 6:5–8).

Figs were an important source of food in the ancient world. When Jesus and His disciples came upon a fig tree that was barren, He cursed it (Matthew 21:18–19). In Amos 4:9 the Lord said He was chastising Israel to lead them to repent. He recalls: "I struck you with blight and mildew…your fig trees and your olive trees the locusts devoured; yet you did not return to me."

Proverbs 27:7–22 continues Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 25:1). He reflects on wealth, poverty, friendship, the wisdom of staying away from danger, good neighborly relationships, a nagging spouse, responsibility, and the tendency of foolish people to cling to their errors.

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.

Accessed 4/27/2024 1:51:14 PM