Proverbs 27:10 kjv

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

Proverbs 27:10 nkjv

Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, Nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.

Proverbs 27:10 niv

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative's house when disaster strikes you? better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Proverbs 27:10 esv

Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

Proverbs 27:10 nlt

Never abandon a friend ?
either yours or your father's.
When disaster strikes, you won't have to ask your brother for assistance.
It's better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.

Proverbs 27 verses

Proverbs 27 10 Meaning

Proverbs 27:10 instructs on the value of stable, proven relationships, particularly in times of distress, over distant family ties. It advocates for loyalty to enduring friendships, including those inherited from one's father, and advises against burdening a far-off relative in times of crisis. The core wisdom is that the practical, accessible support of a nearby friend or neighbor often surpasses the theoretical assistance of a geographically or emotionally distant family member. It highlights that true help comes from those who are present and willing to act, rather than solely relying on the bonds of blood where direct aid is not feasible.

Proverbs 27 10 Context

Proverbs 27 falls within a section of wisdom literature that focuses on various aspects of daily life, relationships, and prudent conduct, often contrasting wise behavior with folly. Chapter 27 specifically covers themes of boasting, envy, public praise, open rebuke, and the reliability of relationships. This verse is nestled among admonitions about true loyalty and dependable support, preparing the listener to discern effective help in a world where appearances can be deceiving. The cultural backdrop is a community-oriented society where family ties are highly valued, yet practical realities often dictate who can offer immediate and tangible assistance. The verse presents a pragmatic view of reliance during crisis, balancing ideal family obligations with the practical availability of aid from those nearby. It reflects on the importance of building sturdy, long-term relationships through consistent loyalty and reciprocal kindness.

Proverbs 27 10 Word analysis

• Do not forsake (אַל־תַּעֲזֹב, al-ta'azov): A strong prohibitive command. The Hebrew verb azav means to abandon, leave, or neglect. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining faithful adherence and loyalty to existing bonds.
• your friend (רֵעֲךָ, re'akha): Refers to a close companion, confidant, or trusted associate. This is not a mere acquaintance but someone with whom a significant bond has been formed.
• or your father’s friend (וְרֵעַ אָבִיךָ, v'rea avikha): Highlights intergenerational loyalty. It speaks to the wisdom of upholding long-standing relationships of trust that may predate one's own memory, emphasizing their proven nature and reliability. This also suggests respect for the father's judgment and the continuity of community ties.
• and do not go (וְאַל־תָּבוֹא, v'al-tavo): A further negative command, meaning "do not come" or "do not enter." It advises against a particular action or direction in seeking help.
• to your brother’s house (בֵית אָחִיךָ, beit achikha): Refers to the home of a close relative by blood. In ancient societies, family, particularly brothers, held a primary social safety net role. This phrase is key to the verse's comparative teaching.
• in the day of your calamity (בְּיוֹם אֵידֶךָ, b'yom eidekha): Eidekha means disaster, misfortune, or sudden destruction. It refers to a specific, urgent time of distress or trouble. This sets the precise context for the advice being given.
• Better is a neighbor (טוֹב שָׁכֵן, tov shachen): Tov means good or better, signifying preference. Shachen refers to someone who lives nearby, a physical proximity is implied. This part of the proverb establishes the key comparison.
• nearby (קָרוֹב, qarov): Reinforces the concept of proximity and immediate availability. This "nearness" implies not just physical distance but also accessibility and readiness to help.
• than a brother (מֵאָח, me'ach): Me- is a comparative prefix, "than." Ach is a brother, highlighting the family tie.
• far away (רָחוֹק, rachōq): Implies both geographical and potentially emotional or relational distance. This contrast completes the verse's pragmatic teaching.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend": This establishes the imperative to value and maintain loyal relationships that have been tested over time, extending across generations. These are relationships built on shared history and trust, rather than solely on blood. The stability of such connections is paramount.
• "and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity": This is a practical, almost paradoxical, piece of wisdom. It does not condemn brotherhood, but cautions against relying on distant family ties when immediate, practical help is required. In a time of severe distress, distant family might be unable or unwilling to provide tangible assistance due to separation. This part challenges the common expectation of exclusive reliance on immediate kin.
• "Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away": This summarizes the core wisdom of the verse through a comparative proverb. It elevates the immediate, tangible assistance of an accessible individual—a neighbor or friend who is literally near—above the potential, but impractical, aid of a distant blood relative. The focus is on the effectiveness of help rather than its source based on lineage. This implies fostering and relying on active community support systems.

Proverbs 27 10 Bonus section

The verse underscores a broader theme in wisdom literature: the discerning and cultivation of true support systems. It is not an abandonment of family values, but a call for prudence in where one places immediate reliance in times of desperate need. The "father's friend" implies a legacy of trust and established character, pointing to the cumulative value of sustained, faithful relationships over mere sentiment. This proverb subtly instructs one to look for present, tangible help and to nurture those relationships that offer such practicality. It suggests that while brotherhood (kinship) is ordained, true "neighborliness" (active presence and help) is demonstrated through action, a concept deeply echoed in New Testament teachings on love for one's neighbor and spiritual kinship. The proverb offers a cautionary tale against sentimentalism blinding one to practical realities and the actual sources of assistance.

Proverbs 27 10 Commentary

Proverbs 27:10 offers profound wisdom on the dynamics of human relationships, especially under duress. It challenges the conventional ancient priority placed on family ties by asserting that practicality often outweighs lineage. The counsel to not abandon a friend, or even a father's long-standing friend, underscores the enduring value of loyalty and tested camaraderie. These are bonds cultivated through shared experiences and consistent faithfulness, implying a reciprocal commitment.

The controversial part of the proverb—the caution against running to a distant brother in distress—is not a dismissal of familial love, but a realistic assessment of where effective help truly lies. A brother far away might harbor goodwill, but his physical absence limits his capacity for practical aid. In contrast, a nearby neighbor or friend, despite lacking a blood tie, is readily available to lend immediate support. This highlights that "help" is defined by availability and action, not merely by the closeness of relation. The proverb implicitly encourages fostering strong, reliable relationships within one's immediate community before crises strike. It is a pragmatic piece of advice for self-reliance within a dependable local network. The wisdom here teaches about discerning reliable support and cultivating meaningful bonds that are present and actionable when true need arises.

• Practical Usage Example 1: When facing a sudden financial crisis or health emergency, calling a friend across town who can quickly bring food or help with errands may be more practical than expecting assistance from a relative who lives in another country.
• Practical Usage Example 2: Investing time in building good relationships with those in your immediate community or church, so they know and care for your situation, can prove more beneficial in an unforeseen challenge than expecting help solely from estranged relatives.