Proverbs 27:16 kjv

Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

Proverbs 27:16 nkjv

Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.

Proverbs 27:16 niv

restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

Proverbs 27:16 esv

to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one's right hand.

Proverbs 27:16 nlt

Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind
or trying to hold something with greased hands.

Proverbs 27 verses

Proverbs 27 16 Meaning

Proverbs 27:16 declares the absolute impossibility of controlling a person characterized by a contentious or quarrelsome spirit. It likens such an endeavor to two fundamentally uncontrollable natural phenomena: attempting to grasp and contain the wind, or trying to hold slippery oil in one's hand. The verse emphasizes the futility of trying to dominate or silence someone who is determined to be persistently troublesome, especially within the domestic sphere.

Proverbs 27 16 Context

Proverbs chapter 27 is part of the "Sayings of Solomon copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah" (Proverbs 25:1). This collection offers varied maxims concerning personal conduct, friendships, and household matters. Proverbs 27:16 is directly preceded by 27:15, which explicitly introduces the analogy of "a quarrelsome wife" as a "continual dripping on a rainy day." This immediate context makes it clear that verse 16 is specifically addressing the intractable nature of dealing with a constantly contentious or argumentative spouse. It is an observation on the futility of efforts to control or quiet such a person, painting a vivid picture of the sheer difficulty involved in living with unceasing domestic discord.

Proverbs 27 16 Word analysis

• Whoever tries to control / He who binds (צררה צרר tsarar): The Hebrew verb tsarar (צרר) means "to bind," "to tie up," "to restrain," "to control." The repetition of the root suggests an earnest, perhaps even strenuous, attempt at containment or domination. It implies trying to manage or put a stop to something. The usage here describes a strong effort to subjugate or suppress.
• her (-ה -ah): This feminine suffix, derived from the direct object pronoun referring to the "quarrelsome wife" (אשת מדנים ’ēshet midyanim) from the preceding verse (27:15), confirms the subject of this observation. The pronoun signifies that the tsarar (binding) is directed towards the specified individual.
• will control the wind / binds the wind (רוח ruach): The word ruach can mean "wind," "spirit," or "breath." In this context, "wind" is the most appropriate, symbolizing something ephemeral, invisible, and utterly impossible to grasp or control by human effort. It signifies an exercise in utter futility.
• he cannot seize / it will not be called / he cannot call to him (יקרא yiqrā’): This verb yiqrā’ comes from the root קרא (qara’), which typically means "to call," "to proclaim," "to read." However, in this specific proverbial context, and especially in light of the second object ("oil"), it carries the idiomatic sense of "to hold," "to seize," or "to retain." The phrase implies that the object escapes one's grasp despite efforts to possess or control it. Many ancient versions and commentaries interpret it in terms of inability to retain or call to oneself effectively.
• oil (שמן shemen): A common commodity in ancient Israel, likely olive oil. Oil is intrinsically smooth, slippery, and fluid. As such, it is exceedingly difficult to hold in an open hand; it simply runs through the fingers. It serves as a powerful physical metaphor for something that resists containment or retention, reinforcing the futility expressed by the metaphor of controlling the wind.
• in his right hand (ימינו yemînô): The right hand was considered the dominant and strong hand in ancient cultures, symbolizing one's full strength, ability, and control. The inclusion of "right hand" emphasizes that even with maximum effort and capability, the task is impossible. It is not a failure due to lack of trying, but due to the inherent nature of what is being attempted.

Words-group analysis:

• "Whoever tries to control her will control the wind": This opening phrase establishes a stark hyperbole, setting the tone for the utter futility of trying to dominate a contentious individual. It suggests an attempt to impose order on chaos, an impossible endeavor, much like dictating the movement of an invisible, pervasive force.
• "he cannot seize oil in his right hand": This second metaphorical phrase serves as a tangible, equally futile example to underscore the first. While wind is intangible, oil is tangible but impossible to secure or hold tightly in one's grip due to its slippery nature. This illustrates the elusive and uncontainable essence of persistent contention, which resists any human effort to pin it down or stop its flow. The emphasis on the "right hand" further magnifies the effort involved, suggesting even one's best attempt is in vain.

Proverbs 27 16 Bonus section

• While Proverbs 27:16 speaks specifically of the "quarrelsome wife" due to the direct link with 27:15, the principle embedded in the proverb extends beyond gender. The inability to control an intractable, contentious personality can apply to any individual who consistently demonstrates such a disposition, male or female. The metaphors of wind and oil aptly convey the universal frustration of trying to contain or stop a pervasive and fluid negative force in one's environment.
• The proverb implicitly counsels against wasting energy on efforts destined to fail. Instead, it subtly points towards wisdom in managing one's own response, establishing personal boundaries, or recognizing limitations where another's internal disposition is unchangeable by external force.
• This verse contributes to the broader biblical theme of self-control and the cultivation of a gentle and quiet spirit, in contrast to contention (1 Pet 3:4). The challenge of the contentious individual serves as a crucible for the patience and wisdom of those around them.

Proverbs 27 16 Commentary

Proverbs 27:16 offers a stark and poignant observation on the deep-seated difficulty, indeed the sheer impossibility, of imposing external control over a contentious spirit. Rather than prescribing a solution, the proverb describes the frustrating reality that persistent quarrelsome behavior, particularly from a close family member like a spouse, is as elusive and unmanageable as trying to catch the wind or grasp slippery oil. It highlights that the issue lies not in the lack of effort to control, but in the nature of the contention itself – it is fluid, pervasive, and defies containment. The wisdom presented is one of realistic resignation regarding external domination, implicitly nudging toward the understanding that genuine change must emanate from within the individual's disposition rather than from external attempts at suppression or command. This verse underscores the pervasive and destructive impact of a quarrelsome spirit on the domestic sphere, turning what should be a haven of peace into a source of constant, unavoidable agitation.