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

16Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind or trying to hold something with greased hands. 17As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded. 19As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. 20Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never 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 9:7What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk?
• Genesis 24:2One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh.
• Genesis 39:2The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.
• Exodus 24:13So Moses and his assistant Joshua set out, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God.
• 2 Kings 3:11But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord with us? If there is, we can ask the Lord what to do through him.” One of King Joram’s officers replied, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to be Elijah’s personal assistant.”
• 2 Kings 5:2At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid.
• Mark 10:43But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
• Acts 10:7As soon as the angel was gone, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of his personal attendants.
• Colossians 3:22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.
• 1 Samuel 2:30“Therefore, the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me.
• Psalms 123:2We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
• Matthew 24:25See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.
• Matthew 25:21“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! ’
• Luke 12:37The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!
• John 12:26Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
• 1 Peter 2:18You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel.

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