Proverbs 27:6

WEB

The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

BSB

The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

KJV

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Matthew Henry

Verses 5–6

Proverbs 27:5–6

Note, 1. It is good for us to be reproved, and told of our faults, by our friends. If true love in the heart has but zeal and courage enough to show itself in dealing plainly with our friends, and reproving them for what they say and do amiss, this is really better, not only than secret hatred (as Lev 19:17), but than secret love, that love to our neighbours which does not show itself in this good fruit, which compliments them in their sins, to the prejudice of their souls. Faithful are the reproofs of a friend, though for the present they are painful as wounds. It is a sign that our friends are faithful indeed if, in love to our souls, they will not suffer sin upon us, nor let us alone in it. The physician's care is to cure the patient's disease, not to please his palate. 2. It is dangerous to be caressed and flattered by an enemy, whose kisses are deceitful We can take no pleasure in them because we can put no confidence in them (Joab's kiss and Judas's were deceitful), and therefore we have need to stand upon our guard, that we be not deluded by them; they are to be deprecated. Some read it: The Lord deliver us from an enemy's kisses, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

Cross-references: Lev 19:17

Hebrew interlinear

H539

אָמַןʼâman/aw-man'/

v — build up, support, foster, render, be, firm, trust, permanent, be true

Derivation: a primitive root; (Isaiah 30:21; interchangeable with 541, to go to the right hand)

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain;

KJV: hence, assurance, believe, bring up, establish, fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the right.

אָמַן

vb — confirm

[אָמַן] vb. confirm, support

Qal

1. as vb. support, nourish

2. as subst. foster-father

3. foster-mother, nurse

4. pillars, supporters of the door

Niph.

1. carried by nurse

2. made firm, sure, lasting

3. confirmed, established, sure

4. verified, confirmed

5. reliable, faithful, trusty

Hiph.

1. stand firm

2. trust, believe

H6482

פֶּצַעpetsaʻ/peh'-tsah/

n-m — wound

Derivation: from 6481;

a wound

KJV: wound(-ing).

פֶּ֫צַע

n.m — bruise

פֶּ֫צַע n.m. bruise, wound

H157

אָהַבʼâhab/aw-hab'/

v — have affection

Derivation: or אָהֵב ; a primitive root;

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

KJV: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend.

אָהֵב

vb — love

אָהֵב 216 vb. love

Qal

1. human love to human object

2. less oft. of appetite

3. love to God

4. esp. Pt.

5. of divine love

Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable

Pi.

1. friends

2. lovers

H6280

עָתַרʻâthar/aw-thar'/

v — be, make, abundant

Derivation: a primitive root;

to be (causatively, make) abundant

KJV: deceitful, multiply.

עָתַר

vb — be abundant

[עָתַר] vb. be abundant

Niph. crooked, hypocritical

Hiph. ye have multiplied against me your words

H5390

נְשִׁיקָהnᵉshîyqâh/nesh-ee-kaw'/

n-f — kiss

Derivation: from 5401;

a kiss

KJV: kiss.

נְשִׁיקָה

n.f — kiss

[נְשִׁיקָה] n.f. kiss

H8130

שָׂנֵאsânêʼ/saw-nay'/

v — hate

Derivation: a primitive root;

to hate (personally)

KJV: enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, × utterly.

שָׂנֵא

vb — hate

שָׂנֵא 145 vb. hate

Qal 128 hate

Niph. is hated

Pi. enemy

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