New International Version
Proverbs 27:10
10Do 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 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- English Standard Version (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.
- New King James Version (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.
- New Living Translation (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.
Context of Proverbs 27:10
8Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home. 9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. 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. 11Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt. 12The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Read all of Proverbs 27Proverbs 27:10 word by word
רֵֽעֲךָ֨ וְרֵ֪עַ אָבִ֡יךָ אַֽל־תַּעֲזֹ֗ב וּבֵ֥ית אָחִ֗יךָ אַל־תָּ֭בוֹא בְּי֣וֹם אֵידֶ֑ךָ ט֥וֹב שָׁכֵ֥ן קָ֝ר֗וֹב מֵאָ֥ח רָחֽוֹק׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thine own friendרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
- and thy father’sאָב'âb · fatherH1
- forsakeעָזַב‛âzab · to leave: forsakeH5800
- not; neither goבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
- into thy brother’sאָח'âch · brother: male-siblingH251
- houseבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: homeH1004
- in the dayיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- of thy calamityאֵיד'êyd · calamityH343
- betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
- a neighbourשָׁכֵןshâkên · neighborH7934
- nearקָרֹבqârôb qârôb · nearH7138
- far offרָחֹקrâchôq râchôq · distantH7350
Cross-references for Proverbs 27:10
- 2 Samuel 19:24Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.
- 2 Samuel 21:7The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul.
- 1 Kings 12:6Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked.
- 2 Chronicles 24:22King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, “May the Lord see this and call you to account.”
- Isaiah 41:8“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,
- Jeremiah 2:5This is what the Lord says: “What fault did your ancestors find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.
- Proverbs 19:7The poor are shunned by all their relatives— how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found.
- Job 6:21Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.
- Obadiah 1:12You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.
- Proverbs 17:17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
- Proverbs 18:24One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- Luke 10:30In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
- Acts 23:12The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
Commentaries on Proverbs 27:10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10Thine own friend - A well and long tried friend is invaluable. Him that has been a friend to thy family never forget, and never neglect. And, in the time of adversity, rather apply to such a one, than go to thy nearest relative, who keeps himself at a distance.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10“Better is a neighbor” who is really “near” in heart and spirit, than a brother who though closer by blood, is “far off” in feeling.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-10Verses 9-10 Depend not for relief upon a kinsman, merely for kindred's sake; apply to those who are at hand, and will help in need. But there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother, and let us place entire confidence in him.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10During a crisis, you might need help right away. It is important to have friends nearby and neighbors who can assist.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. Adhere to tried friends. The ties of blood may be less reliable than those of genuine friendship.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 27:10
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
New International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries