Logos Bible Study

Proverbs 3:27–28

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Wisdom Demonstrated in Relationships with People

3:27Do not withhold good from those who need it,82

when83 you84 have the ability85 to help.86

3:28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go! Return tomorrow

and I will give it,” when87 you have it with you at the time.88

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Footnotes

  1. 82 The has “from its possessors” and the simply has “from the poor.” C. H. Toy (Proverbs [], ) suggests emending the text to read “neighbors” (changing בְּעָלָיו [be’alav] to רֵעֶיךָ, re’ekha) but that is gratuitous. The idea can be explained as being those who need to possess it, or as 127 בַּעַל has it with an objective genitive, “the owner of it” = the one to whom it is due.
  2. 83 The infinitive construct with preposition ב (bet) introduces a temporal clause: “when.…”
  3. 84 The form יָדֶיךָ (yadekha) is a Kethib/Qere reading. The Kethib is the dual יָדֶיךָ (“your hands”) and the Qere is the singular יָדְךָ (yadékha, “your hand”). Normally the Qere is preferred because it represents an alternate textual tradition that the Masoretes viewed as superior to the received text. Heb “your hand.” The term יָדְךָ (“your hand”) functions as a synecdoche of part (= your hand) for the whole person (= you).
  4. 85 Heb “it is to the power of your hand.” This expression is idiomatic for “it is in your power” or “you have the ability” (Gen 31:29; Deut 28:23; Neh 5:5; Mic 2:1). The noun אֵל (’el) means “power” ( 43 7), and יָד (yad, “hand”) is used figuratively to denote “ability” ( 390 2). Several translations render this as “when it is in your power to do it” (, , , ) or “when it is in your power to act” (). W. McKane suggests, “when it is in your power to confer it” (Proverbs [], 215).
  5. 86 Heb “to do [it]” (cf. , , ).
  6. 87 Heb “and it is with you.” The prefixed vav introduces a circumstantial clause: “when …”
  7. 88 The words “at the time” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation for clarity.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in your power to do it.

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,

tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in your power to act.

Do not say to your neighbor,

“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—

when you already have it with you.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

When it is in your power,

don’t withhold good from the one to whom it belongs.

Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.

I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you.

NLTNew Living Translation

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it

when it’s in your power to help them.

If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,

“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Do not withhold good from its owner

when it is in the power of your hand to do.

Do not say to your neighbor,

“Go and return and tomorrow I will give it,”

when it is with you.

KJV 1900King James Version

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,

When it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Say not unto thy neighbour,

Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give;

When thou hast it by thee.