Proverbs 27:18

Proverbs 27:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
• New International Version (NIV)The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; So he who waits on his master will be honored.

Context of Proverbs 27:18

16Whoever attempts to restrain her [criticism] might as well try to stop the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand. 17As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]. He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who faithfully protects and cares for his master will be honored. 19As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man. 20Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the underworld) are never satisfied; Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.

Proverbs 27:18 word by word

נֹצֵ֣ר תְּ֭אֵנָה יֹאכַ֣ל פִּרְיָ֑הּ וְשֹׁמֵ֖ר אֲדֹנָ֣יו יְכֻבָּֽד׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whoso keepethנָצַרnâtsar · to watchH5341
• the fig treeתְּאֵנָהte'ên te'ênâh · figH8384
• shall eatאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
• the fruitפְּרִיperîy · fruitH6529
• thereof: so he that waitethשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: guardH8104
• on his masterאָדוֹן'âdôn 'âdôn · lordH113
• shall be honouredכָּבֵדkâbad kâbêd · to honor: honourH3513

Cross-references for Proverbs 27:18

• 1 Corinthians 9:7[Consider this:] Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?
• Genesis 24:2Abraham said to his servant [Eliezer of Damascus], the oldest of his household, who had charge over all that Abraham owned, “Please, put your hand under my thigh [as is customary for affirming a solemn oath],
• Genesis 39:2The Lord was with Joseph, and he [even though a slave] became a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
• Exodus 24:13So Moses arose with Joshua his attendant, and he went up to the mountain of God.
• 2 Kings 3:11But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here from whom we may inquire of the Lord?” One of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water over Elijah’s hands.”
• 2 Kings 5:2The Arameans (Syrians) had gone out in bands [as raiders] and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel; and she waited on Naaman’s wife [as a servant].
• Mark 10:43But this is not how it is among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,
• Acts 10:7When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his own personal attendants;
• Colossians 3:22Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord.
• 1 Samuel 2:30Therefore the Lord God of Israel declares, ‘I did indeed say that your house and that of [Aaron] your father would walk [in priestly service] before Me forever.’ But now the Lord declares, ‘Far be it from Me—for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me will be insignificant and contemptible.
• Psalms 123:2Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, And as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He is gracious and favorable toward us.
• Matthew 24:25Listen carefully, I have told you in advance.
• Matthew 25:21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’
• Luke 12:37Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those servants whom the master finds awake and watching when he arrives. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he will prepare himself to serve, and will have them recline at the table, and will come and wait on them.
• John 12:26If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
• 1 Peter 2:18Servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are good and kind, but also to those who are unreasonable.

Commentaries on Proverbs 27:18

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Waiteth - literally, “keepeth,” “observeth.” As the fig tree requires constant care but yields abundant crops, so the ministrations of a faithful servant will not be without their due reward. Compare 2 Timothy 2:6.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18Verse 18 Though a calling be laborious and despised, yet those who keep to it, will find there is something to be got by it. God is a Master who has engaged to honour those who serve him faithfully.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18An employer values loyal workers who safeguard the employer’s interests. Smart employers offer incentives for loyalty, like letting workers enjoy the benefits of their labor (see Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Corinthians 9:7–10; 1 Timothy 5:17–18).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. Diligence secures a reward, even for the humble servant.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 27:18

• Servant

In the dictionaries

• Answer
• Boast
• Bray
• Contentious
• Look
• Soul
• Wrath
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 27

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings