Proverbs 25:27 kjv

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

Proverbs 25:27 nkjv

It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one's own glory is not glory.

Proverbs 25:27 niv

It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

Proverbs 25:27 esv

It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.

Proverbs 25:27 nlt

It's not good to eat too much honey,
and it's not good to seek honors for yourself.

Proverbs 25 verses

Proverbs 25 27 Meaning

Proverbs 25:27 conveys that pursuing personal glory excessively, much like overindulging in honey, is ultimately detrimental or empty. While honey is pleasant and valuable in moderation, too much leads to nausea or revulsion. Similarly, aggressively seeking self-exaltation or honor for oneself does not lead to true glory but rather can be nauseating to others, a sign of foolishness, or ultimately unsatisfying and counterproductive. True glory or honor is often bestowed, not seized, and comes from character and humility before God and others.

Proverbs 25 27 Context

Proverbs 25 belongs to the "Proverbs of Solomon copied by the men of Hezekiah King of Judah," a section (Proverbs 25-29) highlighting wisdom relevant to rulers, public conduct, and maintaining social harmony. This chapter is a collection of various practical teachings, often using common life scenarios and vivid imagery. The verse itself follows a general admonition about moderation in Proverbs 25:16, which directly uses honey as an example of something good that becomes detrimental in excess. This immediate context strengthens the interpretation that 25:27 carries a negative connotation regarding excessive self-glorification, as it parallels the negative outcome of overeating honey. The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts humility with pride and advocates for wisdom that leads to a peaceful and honorable life, cautioning against behaviors that bring shame or ruin.

Proverbs 25 27 Word analysis

• It is not good (לֹא טוֹב, lo’ tov): A direct and simple negative assessment. It conveys disapproval, implying something that is harmful, unhealthy, or unproductive. In Hebrew wisdom literature, tov ("good") often signifies what is beneficial, pleasant, and aligns with God's order, while lo' tov ("not good") implies the opposite.
• to eat much honey (אֲכֹל הַרְבֵּה דְבָשׁ, akhol harbeh devash):
  • eat much (akhol harbeh): Signifies overconsumption or excess.
  • honey (devash): A highly prized, sweet, and often scarce commodity in ancient Israel. It symbolized pleasantness and blessing (Ex 3:8), but the proverbs often warn against excess, implying physical discomfort or cloying satiety (Pr 24:13, Pr 25:16).
• so for people to search their own glory (וְחֵקֶר כְּבוֹדָם, vekhekher kevodehem):
  • so (וְ, ve): Connects the two clauses as a parallel, introducing the metaphorical application of the previous statement.
  • search (chekher): Implies an intensive, deliberate, and perhaps over-zealous seeking or investigation. It suggests an active and potentially relentless pursuit of something.
  • their own glory (kevodehem): Refers to one's own honor, reputation, dignity, or esteem. When it is one's own glory, it speaks of self-promotion or self-aggrandizement. Kavod (glory) carries the sense of weight, substance, or impressiveness.
• is not glory (כָּבוֹד, kavod, interpreted as lo kavod): The Masoretic Text literally says "is glory," which is debated. However, contextual and grammatical parallelism strongly suggest an implicit negation or an ironic meaning. The common understanding is that "such a search for glory is not true glory" or "it is not [truly] glorious." Alternatively, some scholars suggest kavod here means "burdensome" or "heavy," similar to the discomfort of too much honey. The overwhelming interpretive consensus in translations is a negative outcome.

Words-group analysis:

• "It is not good to eat much honey; so for people to search their own glory...": This pairing establishes a powerful literary device—a simile. It equates a physically discomforting experience (over-indulging in sweets) with a socially and spiritually problematic one (obsessive self-glorification). The vivid analogy makes the wisdom memorable and relatable. The parallel structure is characteristic of Proverbs.
• "...is not glory.": This concluding phrase (whether implicitly or explicitly negative) serves as the consequence or judgment on the action. It highlights the futility and ultimate lack of fulfillment in seeking one's own praise, contrasting it with what genuine glory (from God or others) truly entails. The self-serving pursuit is shown to negate the very thing it desires.

Proverbs 25 27 Bonus section

The interpretation of the latter half of Proverbs 25:27, particularly the Masoretic Text's literal "and the search for their glory is glory" (וְחֵקֶר כְּבוֹדָם כָּבוֹד), has generated significant scholarly discussion. Many English translations (like NIV, ESV) add a negative particle ("is not glory") or interpret it as an ironic or rhetorical question, reflecting the strong parallel with "it is not good" from the first clause. This interpretative choice is supported by the context of Proverbs, which consistently warns against pride and self-exaltation. The principle suggests that human self-seeking can never attain the substantial, weighty glory that belongs to God or is bestowed by Him. Instead of self-proclaimed honor, genuine glory in the biblical sense is often associated with humility, righteousness, and being used by God for His purposes (cf. Pr 22:4). True honor, therefore, comes not from our own tireless promotion, but from character that is formed by the fear of the Lord and seen by others or, more importantly, by God Himself.

Proverbs 25 27 Commentary

Proverbs 25:27 offers a profound insight into human nature, contrasting self-serving ambition with genuine wisdom. The simple, common analogy of honey—a desirable substance that turns sickening when consumed in excess—effectively illustrates that seeking one's own glory, reputation, or praise aggressively yields a similar negative outcome. This wisdom teaches that humility and restraint are paths to true honor, which is typically bestowed rather than forcibly acquired. Such self-exaltation reveals a spiritual immaturity, a focus on transient human praise over enduring divine approval, and often makes one unattractive or burdensome to others. True worth and honor originate from within, from a righteous character, and from service that reflects God's glory, not one's own. It emphasizes that those who constantly draw attention to themselves often forfeit the very respect they crave.

Practical usage examples:

• A person constantly posting on social media about their achievements and expecting validation.
• Someone monopolizing conversations to highlight their successes or superior knowledge.
• A leader demanding accolades and public recognition rather than focusing on serving others.