Proverbs 27:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.

NIV: You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.

NASB: And there will be enough goats’ milk for your food, For the food of your household, And sustenance for your attendants.

CSB: there will be enough goat's milk for your food -- food for your household and nourishment for your female servants.

NLT: And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself, your family, and your servant girls.

KJV: And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

NKJV: You shall have enough goats’ milk for your food, For the food of your household, And the nourishment of your maidservants.

This concludes a short passage which teaches the importance of good stewardship (Proverbs 27:23–26). The person who diligently cares for their resources—depicted here using livestock—has a much better chance of success than the one who is lazy or irresponsible. Solomon emphasizes this further using the imagery of all the benefits livestock provide.

In this verse, Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) also alludes to the need to care for one's family. This is the responsibility of the head of a household. Generally speaking, when he tends to his work and resources well, he is able to provide for the needs of the members of his household. Paul indicated that a man who does not take care of his loved ones "has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8). Paul practiced what he preached. When Paul and his coworkers ministered in Thessalonica, they were not idle. He testifies: "with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you" (2 Thessalonians 3:8).

Proverbs 27:23–27 teaches using imagery from farming. Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) stresses the necessity of work in the present to set up success in the future. This repeats the sentiment of prior Scriptures (Proverbs 20:4; 21:5; 27:18). Diligence in tending to flocks and herds is more likely to provide for a family than being careless. The terminology in these verses is about livestock, but the principles apply to any area of work or life.

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 5/7/2024 8:50:40 AM