Proverbs 27:17-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:17

This intimates both the pleasure and the advantage of conversation. One man is nobody; nor will poring upon a book in a corner accomplish a man as the reading and studying of men will. Wise and profitable discourse sharpens men's wits; and those that have ever so much knowledge may by conference have something added to them. It sharpens men's looks, and, by cheering the spirits, puts a briskness and liveliness into the countenance, and gives a man such an air as shows he is pleased himself and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:18

This is designed to encourage diligence, faithfulness, and constancy, even in mean employments. Though the calling be laborious and despicable, yet those who keep to it will find there is something to be got by it. 1. Let not a poor gardener, who keeps the fig-tree, be discouraged; though it require constant care and attendance to nurse up fig-trees, and, when they have grown to maturity, to keep them in good order, and gather the figs in their season, yet he shall be paid for his pains: He... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:19

This shows us that there is a way, 1. Of knowing ourselves. As the water is a looking-glass in which we may see our faces by reflection, so there are mirrors by which the heart of a man is discovered to a man, that is, to himself. Let a man examine his own conscience, his thoughts, affections, and intentions. Let him behold his natural face in the glass of the divine law (Jas. 1:23), and he may discern what kind of man he is and what is his true character, which it will be of great use to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:20

Two things are here said to be insatiable, and they are two things near of kin?death and sin. 1. Death is insatiable. The first death, the second death, both are so. The grave is not clogged with the multitude of dead bodies that are daily thrown into it, but is still an open sepulchre, and cries, Give, give. Hell also has enlarged itself, and still has room for the damned spirits that are committed to that prison. Tophet is deep and large, Isa. 30:33. 2. Sin is insatiable: The eyes of man are... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpeneth iron - As hard iron, viz., steel, will bring a knife to a better edge when it is properly whetted against it: so one friend may be the means of exciting another to reflect, dive deeply into, and illustrate a subject, without which whetting or excitement, this had never taken place. Had Horace seen this proverb in the Septuagint translation when he wrote to the Pisos? Ergo fungar vice cotis, acutum Reddere quae ferrum valet, exors ipsa secandi read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:19

As in water face answereth to face - All men's hearts are pretty nearly alike; water is not more like to water, than one heart is to another. Or, as a man sees his face perfectly reflected by the water, when looking into it; so the wise and penetrating man sees generally what is in the heart of another by considering the general tenor of his words and actions. "Surely, if each man saw another's heart There would be no commerce; All would disperse, And live apart." Hebert. read more

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