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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.

Context of Proverbs 27:18

16restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand. 17As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored. 19As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. 20Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.

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 9:7Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk?
• Genesis 24:2He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh.
• Genesis 39:2The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
• Exodus 24:13Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God.
• 2 Kings 3:11But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”
• 2 Kings 5:2Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.
• Mark 10:43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
• Acts 10:7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.
• Colossians 3:22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
• 1 Samuel 2:30“Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.
• Psalms 123:2As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.
• Matthew 24:25See, I have told you ahead of time.
• Matthew 25:21“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
• Luke 12:37It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.
• John 12:26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
• 1 Peter 2:18Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

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