Proverbs 27:23

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. BE THOU DILIGENT TO KNOW THE STATE (LITERALLY, THE FACE) OF THY FLOCKS. Shepherds so exactly knew the face of their sheep that they called them by name (). Pastors of Christ's flock should "look well" to them in person, and not think to discharge their duty by deputy....

Verse Proverbs 27:23. _THE STATE OF THY FLOCKS_] The directions to the end of the chapter refer chiefly to _pastoral_ and _agricultural_ affairs. Do not trust thy flocks to the shepherd merely; number them thyself; look into their condition; see how they are tended; and when, and with what, and in what proportion, they are fed....

The verses sing the praises of the earlier patriarchal life, with its flocks and herds, and tillage of the ground, as compared with the commerce of a later time, with money as its chief or only wealth. Proverbs 27:23 THE STATE - literally, face. The verse is an illustration of John 10:3, John 10:14. Proverbs 27:24 RICHES - The money which men may steal, or waste, is contrasted with the land of which the owner is not so easily deprived. Nor will the crown (both the “crown of pure gold” worn on the mitre of the high prie

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 27:1 These verses are grouped in pairs, each two being connected in subject. PROVERBS 27:1 BOAST NOT THYSELF OF TOMORROW. He boasts himself (Proverbs 25:14) of tomorrow who counts upon it presumptuously, settles that he will do this or that, as if his life was in his own power, and he could make sure of time. This is blindness and arrogance. FOR THOU KNOWEST NOT WHAT A DAY MAY BRING FORTH. Our Lord gave a lesson on this matter in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:1.); and an analogous warning, based on our ver

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 themselves and their families. It is in the original text, "the face of thy flocks" r; perhaps the allusion is to the exact and distinct knowledge some very diligent careful shepherds might have, so as to know each sheep in their flocks distinctly; see John 10:3; The Septuagint version renders it, the souls of thy flock, as if it was an instruction to spiritual pastors or shepherds, who have the care

Proverbs 27:1. _Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth._ Let us never boast of future days and years, or what we mean to do when we come to any age, or what shall be our position when we grow gray. Let us never boast of anything in the future, for we cannot tell what even a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:2. _Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips._ For he who praises himself writes himself down a fool in capital letters. Proverbs 27:3. _A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both._ One might endure almost any sort of

V. INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO SOLOMON In the three Chapter s which follow 27-29 we find the change we have noticed before. These proverbs are addressed to a person and the phrases “My son” and the personal address, “thou,” “thy” and “thyself,” are again used in these Chapter s. Like the previous sections, so here we find instructions which were given to Solomon. CHAPTER 27 INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS The opening proverb warns against procrastination. No one can be sure of what the next day may bring forth.True wisdom is not to trust the future day, for it may never come, nor are we to dwell in the past. While it is today we must live and act and leave nothing undone which can be done today. How true this is of salvation which is offered for today--now is the day of salvation. How many have been lost forever by procrastination, by thinking a more convenient time would come. Well has one said,...

A collection of aphorisms on various subjects. PROVERBS 27:3. _cf._ Sir_22:14 f. The comparison suggests that vexation is out of place. It is the fool that is a bore, not his anger. Proverbs 27:4 a Lit. ruthlessness of wrath, torrent of anger, or wrath is ruthlessness, anger a torrent. Proverbs 27:6. profuse: a doubtful translation of an obscure Heb. word, although Matthew 26:49 (viz. the force of κατὰ? in κατεφίλησεν) is quoted in support. AV deceitful depends upon an emendation following the Lat. Pr

TEXT Proverbs 27:19-27 19. As in water face answereth face, So the heart of man to man. 20. Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of man are never satisfied. 21. The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is tried by his praise. 22. Though thou shouldest bray a fool in mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him. 23. Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds: 24. For riches are not for ever; And doth the crown endure unto all generations? 25. The hay is carried, and the tender grass showeth itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in. 26. The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the fi

27:23 thy (e-13) Lit. 'set thine heart on the.'...