Proverbs 24:27 kjv

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

Proverbs 24:27 nkjv

Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.

Proverbs 24:27 niv

Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.

Proverbs 24:27 esv

Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

Proverbs 24:27 nlt

Do your planning and prepare your fields
before building your house.

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 27 Meaning

Proverbs 24:27 provides practical wisdom by emphasizing the critical importance of diligent preparation and securing one's livelihood before establishing a domestic life or investing in a home. It metaphorically instructs an individual, particularly a young man, to prioritize laboring to ensure a stable financial foundation and secure an income source, typically through farming or trade, prior to undertaking the significant expense and commitment of building a house and starting a family. The core message is one of responsible planning, foresight, and sound stewardship, ensuring self-sufficiency precedes major life milestones.

Proverbs 24 27 Context

Proverbs chapter 24 is part of a collection often referred to as "Further Sayings of the Wise" (Prov 24:23). This section frequently contrasts the diligent and wise with the lazy and foolish, and the righteous with the wicked. The verses immediately preceding Proverbs 24:27 (Prov 24:20-26) offer various forms of wisdom concerning justice, authority, and wise counsel. Proverbs 24:27 itself comes after a section that emphasizes diligence, hard work, and the consequences of laziness (e.g., Prov 24:30-34 speaks of the sluggard's field becoming overgrown).

Historically, in ancient Israelite society, livelihood was largely agrarian. "Working outside" and "in the field" directly referred to tending flocks or cultivating crops. Building a house was a significant investment, often signifying settledness, a stable family, and long-term financial security. The wisdom of this proverb would have resonated deeply with an audience whose sustenance depended directly on the produce of their land and whose prosperity was tied to their diligence in preparing it. It sets a foundational principle of establishing economic stability before incurring the costs and responsibilities associated with setting up a permanent household.

Proverbs 24 27 Word analysis

• Prepare (Hebrew: הָכֵן - hākēn): This verb means "to establish," "to make ready," "to set in order," or "to fix firmly." It implies more than just casual readiness; it denotes a thorough, foundational preparation. The root suggests setting something up to be solid and enduring.
• thy work (Hebrew: מְלַאכְתְּךָ - mĕlaḵtĕkā): This refers to one's labor, occupation, business, or task. It is the activity by which one gains sustenance or makes a living. In this agrarian context, it would specifically refer to farming tasks.
• without (Hebrew: בַחוּץ - baḥûṣ): Literally meaning "outside" or "abroad." This term is significant because it contrasts with the "house." "Outside" refers to the public sphere, the marketplace, the fields – where one's livelihood is generated. It emphasizes work beyond the immediate domestic confines.
• and make it fit (Hebrew: עֲתֵד - ʿātēd): This verb means "to be ready," "to prepare," "to be appointed," or "to store up." It reinforces hākēn (prepare) by suggesting readiness, suitability, and securing necessary provisions. It implies a strategic and practical accumulation of resources or readiness.
• for thyself (Hebrew: לָךְ - lāḵ): Literally "for you." This highlights the personal responsibility and the direct benefit or consequence of one's actions. The work is for one's own well-being and future.
• in the field (Hebrew: בַשָּׂדֶה - baśśāḏeh): "Field" (from śādeh) refers to an open cultivated area, farmland. It represents the primary place of labor and income generation for the vast majority in ancient Israel. It's a metonymy for one's source of income or primary enterprise.
• and afterwards (Hebrew: וְאַחַר - wəʾaḥar): This adverb clearly denotes sequential order, meaning "then," "after that," or "subsequently." It is the linchpin that establishes the priority—do this first, then that.
• build (Hebrew: וּבָנִיתָ - ûḇānîṯā): From bānāh, meaning "to build," "to establish," "to construct." Here, it refers to the literal construction of a physical dwelling.
• thine house (Hebrew: בֵיתֶךָ - bêṯeḵā): Refers to one's physical dwelling, home, or household. In the broader biblical sense, bayit can also mean family or lineage, implying not just the structure but the establishment of a settled domestic life, including potentially marrying and raising a family.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field": This entire opening phrase strongly emphasizes foundational readiness. It paints a picture of intense, practical labor in one's primary source of income (the "field," "without," i.e., outside the home). It's about establishing one's financial viability, getting the business or profession securely set up, and ensuring it can sustain future responsibilities. The double emphasis on "prepare" and "make it fit/ready" underscores thoroughness and prudence.
• "and afterwards build thine house": This phrase introduces the crucial element of priority. It explicitly states that the building of a home – symbolic of domestic life, stability, and family responsibilities – should only come after the initial phase of work and establishment of a reliable income. It’s a timeless principle of good stewardship: secure the means before incurring major liabilities.

Proverbs 24 27 Bonus section

The underlying principle of Proverbs 24:27 subtly points to God's created order. God placed humanity in the garden to "work it and keep it" (Gen 2:15) before He created Eve and formed the first family (Gen 2:18-24). This divine pattern suggests that responsibility and provision often precede further blessings or responsibilities. While work is a consequence of the fall in its laborious aspect (Gen 3:19), the general principle of laboring and stewardship predates the fall, underscoring its inherent value. The verse also implicitly contrasts with societal pressures for immediate gratification, advocating instead for deferred pleasure and diligent preparation, aligning with other Proverbial themes on the dangers of laziness and the benefits of foresight. It also highlights the sacredness of providing for one's own household, a duty echoed in the New Testament (1 Tim 5:8).

Proverbs 24 27 Commentary

Proverbs 24:27 distills a profound truth about practical wisdom and responsible living into a concise agricultural metaphor. It's a directive for orderly conduct in life, advising against the common pitfall of acquiring domestic comforts or responsibilities without first having established a firm means of sustenance. The ancient Hebrew agrarian context, where a farmer’s livelihood depended on their fields, provides a vivid illustration: a wise farmer ensures his land is plowed, sown, harvested, and secure, yielding sufficient produce, before investing resources into building or improving his home.

This principle extends beyond agriculture. It applies to career and financial planning in any era. It is a call to young people, and indeed to all, to prioritize developing their skills, securing a stable income, and demonstrating diligent self-sufficiency before embarking on major life commitments such as marriage, buying a home, or raising a family. Neglecting this order often leads to financial strain, household instability, and unnecessary burdens, a testament to the "foolish builder" in the New Testament (Lk 14:28-30) who begins construction without counting the cost.

The verse is not prescriptive in forbidding marriage or home-building entirely, but rather presents a principle of sound financial stewardship and mature responsibility. It’s about building a solid foundation for oneself and for one's future family, ensuring that the necessary provision precedes the profound commitments of establishing a household. It encourages self-reliance rooted in industriousness and wise planning, which in turn leads to a more secure and stable life.

Example:

• A young adult graduating college decides to work for several years, building their career and savings, before committing to marriage or a home purchase.
• An entrepreneur dedicates time to thoroughly researching a business, creating a detailed plan, securing funding, and establishing a steady customer base before expanding their personal lifestyle or committing to larger personal expenses.