Proverbs 27:27 kjv

And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Proverbs 27:27 nkjv

You shall have enough goats' milk for your food, For the food of your household, And the nourishment of your maidservants.

Proverbs 27:27 niv

You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.

Proverbs 27:27 esv

There will be enough goats' milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.

Proverbs 27:27 nlt

And you will have enough goats' milk for yourself,
your family, and your servant girls.

Proverbs 27 verses

Proverbs 27 27 Meaning

Proverbs 27:27 declares that through diligent and watchful care of one's livestock, specifically goats, a consistent and abundant supply of milk will be available. This provision is sufficient not only for the individual's own sustenance but also for the nourishment of their entire household, including all dependents, such as maidservants. It encapsulates the principle that hard work and responsible stewardship of resources lead to reliable provision and the ability to care for those under one's charge.

Proverbs 27 27 Context

Proverbs 27:27 concludes a small wisdom unit (Proverbs 27:23-27) that centers on the theme of diligent and consistent care for one's land and livestock. The preceding verses (23-26) advise knowing the condition of one's flocks and herds, for "riches do not last forever," implying that tangible, managed assets are a more stable source of provision than fleeting wealth or external markets. The entire book of Proverbs emphasizes practical wisdom, including diligence, integrity, and foresight, as pathways to a stable and blessed life. In an ancient agrarian society like Israel, livestock (sheep and goats) were fundamental to survival and well-being, providing milk, meat, wool, and skins. This verse speaks directly to that cultural reality, underscoring that the tangible benefits derived from meticulous, hands-on management ensure the basic necessities for the entire household, encompassing a patriarchal societal structure where the head of the house was responsible for all within his gates, including servants. The passage implicitly cautions against idleness or relying on unstable, speculative means for sustenance, instead promoting a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle through continuous, dedicated labor.

Proverbs 27 27 Word analysis

• And you will have enough (וְדֵי - ve-dei): The Hebrew term signifies "and sufficiency," or "enough of." It suggests an adequacy for needs, not necessarily an abundance for extravagance. This implies a blessing of having precisely what is required, contrasting with a desire for insatiable wealth. It echoes themes of contentment and reliance on simple provisions rather than endless accumulation.
• goats' milk (עֵזִים חָלָב - ezim chalav): Ezim (goats) and chalav (milk). This is a very specific, practical example of a staple food in ancient Israel. Goats were resilient animals, easily tended, and their milk was a common and nutritious dietary component, suitable for direct consumption, cheese, and yogurt. The focus on "goats'" milk rather than just milk emphasizes the specific source of the sustenance, tying it directly to the earlier verses' command to tend to the flocks. This highlights the concrete, tangible outcome of dedicated agricultural work.
• for your food (לְלֶחְמְךָ - le-lechemecha): Literally "for your bread." Lechem (bread) in Hebrew often serves as a metonym for "food" or "sustenance" in general, referring to anything that provides nourishment. This part focuses on the individual's direct needs.
• for the food of your household (לְלֶחֶם בֵּיתֶךָ - le-lechem beitecha): Beitecha refers to "your house" or "your household." This expands the scope of provision beyond the individual to their immediate family. It underlines the responsibility of the householder to provide for those closest to him, reinforcing a key patriarchal social value in ancient Israel where the head of the family was the primary provider and protector.
• and for the maintenance of your maidservants (וְחַיִּים לְנַעֲרֹתֶיךָ - ve-chayyim le-na'aroteicha): Ve-chayyim literally means "and life," here translated as "maintenance" or "livelihood." It extends beyond mere food, encompassing all necessary provisions for sustenance and living. Na'aroteicha refers to "your young women" or "maidservants." This final phrase emphasizes a wider scope of responsibility, extending provision and care to all dependents within the household structure. It portrays a just and diligent master who ensures the well-being not only of his family but also of those who serve him, demonstrating responsible stewardship over all given by God.

Proverbs 27 27 Bonus section

The agricultural context of Proverbs 27:23-27 is a vivid metaphor for how wealth and provision are best secured: through sustained effort, personal oversight, and care for basic, enduring assets, rather than through fleeting or purely monetary accumulations. This approach offers a stability rooted in production and sustainability. The verse also underscores the ancient wisdom that true "wealth" (beyond fleeting riches) involves being able to provide for oneself and one's dependents consistently. It implies a virtuous cycle: diligence leads to produce, produce leads to provision, provision supports the household, allowing more diligence. This holistic view of well-being contrasts with any ancient or modern worldview that promotes idleness, quick-riches schemes, or exploitation, suggesting that true blessing is intertwined with honest labor and generous provision for others under one's care. It speaks to a divine economy where stewardship and responsibility are fundamental to stability.

Proverbs 27 27 Commentary

Proverbs 27:27 distills a profound truth about life, work, and provision. It asserts that true and sustainable provision flows not from speculative ventures or accumulated riches alone, which "do not last forever" (v. 24), but from diligent, hands-on engagement with foundational resources. In an agrarian context, this meant tending flocks. The "goats' milk" represents basic, honest sustenance derived directly from conscientious labor. The verse emphasizes that such diligent stewardship provides not only for one's own immediate needs but extends reliably to one's family and even to dependent workers within the household. It speaks to a robust self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on external instability. This wisdom encourages consistent, careful management over impulsive risk-taking, painting a picture of peace and stability arising from responsibilities faithfully discharged. The implicit call is to be good stewards of what God has placed in our care, recognizing that faithfulness in managing simple, tangible resources yields consistent blessing for all connected to us. For example, maintaining a well-organized budget and consistently contributing to savings provides financial stability for future needs and unforeseen circumstances, securing the provision of one's household. Similarly, investing time and effort into cultivating a valuable skill can provide a consistent means of livelihood, ensuring future sustenance.