God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 27:18
18Whoever takes care of a fig tree can eat its fruit, and whoever protects his master is honored.
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 can control her can control the wind. He can even pick up olive oil with his right hand. 17⌞As⌟ iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens the wits of another. Whoever takes care of a fig tree can eat its fruit, and whoever protects his master is honored. 19As a face is reflected in water, so a person is reflected by his heart. 20Hell and decay are never satisfied, and a person’s eyes are never satisfied.
Read all of Proverbs 27Proverbs 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 9:7Does a soldier ever serve in the army at his own expense? Does anyone plant a vineyard and not eat the grapes? Does anyone take care of a flock and not drink milk from the sheep?
- Genesis 24:2So Abraham said to the senior servant of his household who was in charge of all that he owned, “Take a solemn oath.
- Genesis 39:2The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. He worked in the house of his Egyptian master.
- Exodus 24:13Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up on the mountain of God.
- 2 Kings 3:11But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord whom we could ask?” One of the officials of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha, the son of Shaphat, is here. He used to be Elijah’s assistant.”
- 2 Kings 5:2Once, when the Arameans went on raids, they had brought back a little girl from Israel. She became the servant of Naaman’s wife.
- Mark 10:43But that’s not the way it’s going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.
- Acts 10:7After saying this, the angel left. Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of those who served him regularly.
- Colossians 3:22Slaves, always obey your earthly masters. Don’t obey them only while you’re being watched, as if you merely wanted to please people. Be sincere in your motives out of respect for your real master.
- 1 Samuel 2:30“Therefore, the Lord God of Israel declares: I certainly thought that your family and your father’s family would always live in my presence. “But now the Lord declares: I promise that I will honor those who honor me, and those who despise me will be considered insignificant.
- Psalms 123:2As servants depend on their masters, as a maid depends on her mistress, so we depend on the Lord our God until he has pity on us.
- Matthew 24:25Listen! I’ve told you this before it happens.
- Matthew 25:21“His master replied, ‘Good job! You’re a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s happiness.’
- Luke 12:37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I can guarantee this truth: He will change his clothes, make them sit down at the table, and serve them.
- John 12:26Those who serve me must follow me. My servants will be with me wherever I will be. If people serve me, the Father will honor them.
- 1 Peter 2:18Slaves, place yourselves under the authority of your owners and show them complete respect. Obey not only those owners who are good and kind, but also those who are unfair.
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
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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