- Home
- Bible
- Proverbs
- Chapter 27
- Verse 27
Proverbs 27:7
Verse
Context
Sermons
David Smithers
St. John ChrysostomDavid Smithers
Alexander WhyteSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
In Pro 27:7-10 there is also visible a weaving of the external with the internal. First, there are two proverbs, in each of which there is repeated a word terminating with נ. 7 A satisfied soul treadeth honeycomb under foot; And a hungry soul - everything bitter is (to it) sweet. It is unnecessary to read תּבוּז (Hitzig); תּבוּס is stronger; "to tread with the feet" is the extreme degree of scornful despite. That satiety and hunger are applicable to the soul, vid., under Pro 10:3. In 7b, the adverb להּ, relative to the nomin. absol., like Pro 28:7, but not Pro 13:18. "Hunger is the best cook," according to a German proverb; the Hebrew proverb is so formed that it is easily transferred to the sphere of the soul. Let the man whom God has richly satisfied with good things guard himself against ingratitude towards the Giver, and against an undervaluing of the gifts received; and if they are spiritual blessings, let him guard himself against self-satisfaction and self-contentment, which is, in truth, the worst poverty, Rev 3:17; for life without God is a constant hunger and thirst. There is in worldly things, even the most pleasing, a dissatisfaction felt, and a dissatisfaction awakening disgust; and in spiritual life, a satiety which supposes itself to be full of life, but which is nothing else than the decay of life, than the changing of life into death.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The luxury of wealth confers less happiness than the healthy appetite of labor.
John Gill Bible Commentary
As a bird that wandereth from her nest,.... To seek for food for herself and her young; or that leaves it without returning to it, and so her eggs or her young are exposed, and she herself liable to fall into the hands of birds of prey, or of the fowler, when she would be safe in her nest; as there was a law in Israel in her favour, Deu 22:6; or as one that is forced out and obliged to wander from place to place, Isa 16:2; so is a man that wandereth from his place; who, in time of famine and distress, goes into other parts for bread, as Jacob's sons went down into Egypt; and such are they in a spiritual sense who leave all, and follow Christ for food for their souls; or who are forced to flee from place to place, and wander about in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth, because of the persecution of their enemies; or rather it is to be taken in an ill sense and applied to such who abide not in the calling whereunto they are called; dislike, and are unsatisfied with, their present business of life, and seek new employments, which oftentimes is to the hurt and detriment of themselves and families; and also to such who wander from the way of spiritual understanding, from the place of divine worship, from the word, ordinances, and commandments of the Lord; see Pro 21:16.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Solomon here, as often in this book, shows that the poor have in some respects the advantage of the rich; for, 1. They have a better relish of their enjoyments than the rich have. Hunger is the best sauce. Coarse fare, with a good appetite to it has a sensible pleasantness in it, which those are strangers to whose hearts are overcharged with surfeiting. Those that fare sumptuously every day nauseate even delicate food, as the Israelites did the quails; whereas those that have no more than their necessary food, though it be such as the full soul would call bitter, to them it is sweet; they eat it with pleasure, digest it, and are refreshed by it. 2. They are more thankful for their enjoyments: The hungry will bless God for bread and water, while those that are full think the greatest dainties and varieties scarcely worth giving thanks for. The virgin Mary seems to refer to this when she says (Luk 1:53), The hungry, who know how to value God's blessings, are filled with good things, but the rich, who despise them, are justly sent empty away.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
27:7 Even the best teaching (honey) will be refused if offered at the wrong time. The key to real learning is the receptivity of the student.
Proverbs 27:7
Do Not Boast about Tomorrow
6The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 7The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The Womb of Revival
By David Smithers0PRO 27:7David Smithers preaches about the anticipation of a genuine widespread revival, emphasizing the need for the Church to be prepared and united in prayer for this upcoming move of the Spirit. He discusses the importance of discerning true revival from mere hunger for supernatural experiences, cautioning against settling for incomplete works of the Spirit. Smithers highlights the significance of humility, brokenness, and cooperation with God's eternal values in preparing for revival, drawing examples from biblical figures like Mary and emphasizing the need for consecration and holiness in revival participants.
Homily 2 on the Statues
By St. John Chrysostom0JOB 2:8PRO 27:7ECC 5:12MAT 6:19MAT 19:21LUK 12:151TH 2:91TI 6:17JAS 2:5John Chrysostom preaches about the calamity that has befallen the city due to the tumult over the overthrow of the Emperor Theodosius' statues, emphasizing the need for tears, lamentation, prayer, and unity in mourning. He addresses the dangers of pride, covetousness, and the unpredictability of wealth, urging the rich to be humble, generous, and not to trust in uncertain riches. Chrysostom highlights the value of poverty when embraced with spiritual wisdom, citing examples of how the poor can find pleasure, health, and security in simplicity, while the rich often struggle with insatiable desires, envy, and vulnerability to various evils. He encourages the congregation to focus on heavenly treasures, the fear of God, and acts of charity, reminding them that true wealth lies in virtue, humility, and trust in God's providence.
Richard Baxter
By David Smithers02CH 7:14PSA 139:23PRO 27:7HOS 6:3JOL 2:17ZEC 10:1MAT 11:28MRK 9:24JHN 14:1David Smithers preaches about the hunger within the Church for a genuine revival, emphasizing the need for a revival that restores the Church to its apostolic purity and power, preparing believers to face a dying world and the coming King. He highlights the example of Richard Baxter, a Puritan pastor who sparked a mighty revival in Kidderminster through passionate preaching and personal pastoral care, transforming the community by the power of the Holy Spirit. Baxter's tireless zeal and fervent prayers were instrumental in the revival, demonstrating the essential role of prayer in preparing the way for revival and overcoming obstacles.
Parishoners of Kilmacolm
By Alexander Whyte0PSA 42:1PRO 27:7MAT 5:4ROM 7:182CO 1:3EPH 2:8PHP 3:8HEB 4:16HEB 10:221JN 1:9Alexander Whyte preaches on the spiritual condition of the parish of Kilmacolm in 1639, highlighting the hunger for true spiritual nourishment among the parishioners due to the lack of impactful preaching and pastoral care. The letters written to Samuel Rutherford reveal a desire for deep spiritual insight and guidance, emphasizing the importance of digging deep into one's heart to understand corrupt motives and to have a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ. Rutherford addresses the dangers of spiritual complacency, the necessity of sincere repentance, and the misconception that perfect service is required for acceptance by Christ. He encourages seeking assurance in Christ's atonement, standing firm on the foundation of faith, and finding comfort and peace through self-mortification and enduring trials for Christ's sake.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
In Pro 27:7-10 there is also visible a weaving of the external with the internal. First, there are two proverbs, in each of which there is repeated a word terminating with נ. 7 A satisfied soul treadeth honeycomb under foot; And a hungry soul - everything bitter is (to it) sweet. It is unnecessary to read תּבוּז (Hitzig); תּבוּס is stronger; "to tread with the feet" is the extreme degree of scornful despite. That satiety and hunger are applicable to the soul, vid., under Pro 10:3. In 7b, the adverb להּ, relative to the nomin. absol., like Pro 28:7, but not Pro 13:18. "Hunger is the best cook," according to a German proverb; the Hebrew proverb is so formed that it is easily transferred to the sphere of the soul. Let the man whom God has richly satisfied with good things guard himself against ingratitude towards the Giver, and against an undervaluing of the gifts received; and if they are spiritual blessings, let him guard himself against self-satisfaction and self-contentment, which is, in truth, the worst poverty, Rev 3:17; for life without God is a constant hunger and thirst. There is in worldly things, even the most pleasing, a dissatisfaction felt, and a dissatisfaction awakening disgust; and in spiritual life, a satiety which supposes itself to be full of life, but which is nothing else than the decay of life, than the changing of life into death.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The luxury of wealth confers less happiness than the healthy appetite of labor.
John Gill Bible Commentary
As a bird that wandereth from her nest,.... To seek for food for herself and her young; or that leaves it without returning to it, and so her eggs or her young are exposed, and she herself liable to fall into the hands of birds of prey, or of the fowler, when she would be safe in her nest; as there was a law in Israel in her favour, Deu 22:6; or as one that is forced out and obliged to wander from place to place, Isa 16:2; so is a man that wandereth from his place; who, in time of famine and distress, goes into other parts for bread, as Jacob's sons went down into Egypt; and such are they in a spiritual sense who leave all, and follow Christ for food for their souls; or who are forced to flee from place to place, and wander about in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth, because of the persecution of their enemies; or rather it is to be taken in an ill sense and applied to such who abide not in the calling whereunto they are called; dislike, and are unsatisfied with, their present business of life, and seek new employments, which oftentimes is to the hurt and detriment of themselves and families; and also to such who wander from the way of spiritual understanding, from the place of divine worship, from the word, ordinances, and commandments of the Lord; see Pro 21:16.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Solomon here, as often in this book, shows that the poor have in some respects the advantage of the rich; for, 1. They have a better relish of their enjoyments than the rich have. Hunger is the best sauce. Coarse fare, with a good appetite to it has a sensible pleasantness in it, which those are strangers to whose hearts are overcharged with surfeiting. Those that fare sumptuously every day nauseate even delicate food, as the Israelites did the quails; whereas those that have no more than their necessary food, though it be such as the full soul would call bitter, to them it is sweet; they eat it with pleasure, digest it, and are refreshed by it. 2. They are more thankful for their enjoyments: The hungry will bless God for bread and water, while those that are full think the greatest dainties and varieties scarcely worth giving thanks for. The virgin Mary seems to refer to this when she says (Luk 1:53), The hungry, who know how to value God's blessings, are filled with good things, but the rich, who despise them, are justly sent empty away.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
27:7 Even the best teaching (honey) will be refused if offered at the wrong time. The key to real learning is the receptivity of the student.