Proverbs 27:9

Proverbs 27:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.
• New Living Translation (NLT)The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

Context of Proverbs 27:9

7One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet. 8Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home. Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. 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. 11Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

Proverbs 27:9 word by word

שֶׁ֣מֶן וּ֭קְטֹרֶת יְשַׂמַּֽח־לֵ֑ב וּמֶ֥תֶק רֵ֝עֵ֗הוּ מֵֽעֲצַת־נָֽפֶשׁ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Ointmentשֶׁ֫מֶןshemen · oilH8081
• and perfumeקְטֹ֫רֶתqeţôreth · incenseH7004
• rejoiceשָׂמַחώâmach · to rejoiceH8055
• the heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• the sweetnessמֶ֫תֶקmetheq · sweetnessH4986
• of a man’s friendרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
• by heartyנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: myselfH5315
• counselעֵצָה‛êtsâh · counselH6098

Cross-references for Proverbs 27:9

• Proverbs 7:17I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
• Judges 9:9“But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?’
• Psalms 45:7You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
• Psalms 104:15wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.
• Psalms 133:2It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
• John 12:3Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
• 2 Corinthians 2:15For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
• Exodus 18:17Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good.
• 1 Samuel 23:16And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
• Ezra 10:2Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel.
• Acts 28:15The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

Commentaries on Proverbs 27:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Ointment and perfume - Anointing the head and various parts of the body with aromatic oil is frequent in the East, and fumigating the beards of the guests at the conclusion of an entertainment is almost universal; as is also sprinkling rose-water, and water highly ordoriferous. Two of the curious vessels which are used for this purpose are now before me; they hold some quarts each, and are beautifully inlaid with silver in the form of sprigs, leaves, etc.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. 9Heartfelt advice from a close friend is very encouraging (see also Proverbs 27:6).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. rejoice the heart--the organ of perceiving what pleases the senses. sweetness ... counsel--or, "wise counsel is also pleasing."Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 27:9

• Anointing
• Counsel
• Friendship
• Perfume

In the dictionaries

• Answer
• Boast
• Bray
• Contentious
• Look
• Soul
• Wrath
• Hezekiah (2)
• Perfume; Perfumer
• 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