Proverbs 27:14-27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:15

A continual dropping in a very rainy day ,.... That is, through the roof of a house which is not well covered, or which lets in rain by one means or another; so that in a thorough rainy day it keeps continually dropping, to the great annoyance of those within, and which is very uncomfortable to them: it is observed F7 David de Pomis, Lexic. fol. 107. 3. that rain is called by the name in the text, because a man is shut up under a roof falls; and continuing long he is shut up within... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:16

Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind ,.... Whoever attempts to stop her brawls and contentions, to repress and restrain them, and hinder her voice being heard in the streets, and endeavours to hide the shame that comes upon herself and family, attempts a thing as impossible as to hide the wind in the palm of a man's hand, or to stop it from blowing; for as that, by being restrained or pent up by any methods that can be used, makes the greater noise, so, by all the means that are used to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpeneth iron ,.... A sword or knife made of iron is sharpened by it; so butchers sharpen their knives; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend ; by conversation with him; thus learned men sharpen one another's minds, and excite each other to learned studies; Christians sharpen one another's graces, or stir up each other to the exercise of them, and the gifts which are bestowed on them, and to love and to good works. So Jarchi and Gersom understand it of the sharpening... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:18

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof ,.... That takes care of a fig tree, either his own or another's, planted in his garden or vineyard; see Luke 13:6 ; who cultivates it, digs about and dungs it, and prunes it, and does everything necessary to it; when it brings forth fruit, and that is ripe and fit to eat, he eats of it, as it is but just he should; see 1 Corinthians 9:7 ; so he that waiteth on his master ; or "that keeps his master" F11 שמר "qui custodit",... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:19

As in water face answereth to face ,.... As water is as a looking glass, in which a man may behold his own face and another's; or as the face in the water answers to the face of a man, and there is a great likeness between them. All things through water appear greater, as Seneca F13 Nat. Quaest. l. 1. c. 6. observes, and so more clear and plain; so the heart of man to man ; one man's heart may be seen and discerned in some measure by another, as by his countenance; for though, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:20

Hell and destruction are never full ,.... The grave, as the word used often signifies; and which may be called "destruction", because bodies laid in it are soon corrupted and destroyed; and though bodies are cast into it and devoured by it, it is ready for more; it is one of the four things which never have enough. The place where Gog is said to be buried is called Hamongog, the multitude of Gog, Ezekiel 39:11 ; and by the Septuagint there Polyandrion, which is the name the Greeks give to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:21

As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold ,.... For the trying, proving, and purifying these metals; see Proverbs 17:3 ; so is a man to his praise ; or "according to the mouth of his praise" F16 לפי מהללו "ad os laudis suae", Gejerus. ; if his own mouth praises him, as in Proverbs 27:2 ;, he is known to be what he is, a foolish and vainglorious person: or "so a man is proved by the mouth of him that praises him", as the Vulgate Latin version; or "of them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:22

Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle ,.... As the manna was, Numbers 11:8 ; and as wheat beat and bruised in a mortar, or ground in a mill, retains its own nature; so, let a wicked man be used ever so roughly or severely, by words, admonitions, reproofs, and counsels; or by deeds, by corrections and punishment, by hard words or blows, whether publicly or privately; in the midst of the congregation, as the Targum and Syriac version; or of the sanhedrim and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:23

Be thou diligent to know the state of flocks ,.... In what condition they are; what health they enjoy; how fat and fruitful they be; what pasturage they have; and that they want nothing fitting for them that can be had and is necessary; and also the number of them. The calling of the shepherd is here particularly mentioned, because valiant, honourable, innocent, and useful; but the same diligence is to be used in all other callings and business men are employed in, that they may provide for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:24

For riches are not for ever ,.... A man cannot be assured of the continuance of them; they are uncertain things, here today and gone tomorrow: wherefore, though a man has a considerable share of them, yet should follow one calling or another; particularly husbandry is recommended, or keeping sheep and cattle, which are increasing; by which means his substance will be continued and augmented, which otherwise is not to be depended on, but in a diligent attendance to business; and doth the... read more

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