King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: [for] better [is] a neighbour [that is] near than a brother far off.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Don't abandon a friend who is also a friend of your father. Don't enter your brother's house on the day of your calamity -better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
Berean Standard Bible:
Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
American Standard Version:
Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; And go not to thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thine own friend{H7453}, and thy father's{H1} friend{H7453}, forsake{H5800} not; neither go{H935} into thy brother's{H251} house{H1004} in the day{H3117} of thy calamity{H343}: for better{H2896} is a neighbour{H7934} that is near{H7138} than a brother{H251} far off{H7350}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 18:24
- ¶ A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
Luke 10:30
- And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead.
Luke 10:37
- And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
1 Kings 12:6
- And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
1 Kings 12:8
- But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, [and] which stood before him:
Proverbs 17:17
- ¶ A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Obadiah 1:12
- But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 27:10
Proverbs 27:10, situated within the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, reflects the social and communal values of ancient Israelite society. The verse offers practical advice on maintaining relationships, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and support within one's community during times of distress. It counsels against abandoning longstanding friendships, particularly those that extend to one's family connections, suggesting that these relationships are a vital source of support. The second part of the verse warns against over-relying on distant family members during crises, instead recommending the proximity and immediate aid of a nearby neighbor.
The historical context of this proverb likely reflects the agrarian and tightly-knit communities of ancient Israel, where mutual aid was essential for survival, especially in times of personal or communal hardship such as famine, war, or economic downturn. In such a setting, the advice to cherish close relationships and seek help from those who are geographically near would have been particularly pertinent. The verse underscores the pragmatic wisdom of the book of Proverbs, which often highlights the importance of community, wisdom, and prudent behavior in navigating the complexities of life.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7453
There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵעַ
Transliteration: rêaʻ
Pronunciation: ray'-ah
Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H5800
There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָזַב
Transliteration: ʻâzab
Pronunciation: aw-zab'
Description: a primitive root; to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.; commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H3117
There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹם
Transliteration: yôwm
Pronunciation: yome
Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. - Strong's Number: H343
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵיד
Transliteration: ʼêyd
Pronunciation: ade
Description: from the same as אוּד (in the sense of bending down); oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin; calamity, destruction. - Strong's Number: H2896
There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹב
Transliteration: ṭôwb
Pronunciation: tobe
Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). - Strong's Number: H7934
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁכֵן
Transliteration: shâkên
Pronunciation: shaw-kane'
Description: from שָׁכַן; a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen; inhabitant, neighbour, nigh. - Strong's Number: H7138
There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרוֹב
Transliteration: qârôwb
Pronunciation: kaw-robe'
Description: or קָרֹב; from קָרַב; near (in place, kindred or time); allied, approach, at hand, [phrase] any of kin, kinsfold(-sman), (that is) near (of kin), neighbour, (that is) next, (them that come) nigh (at hand), more ready, short(-ly). - Strong's Number: H7350
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָחוֹק
Transliteration: râchôwq
Pronunciation: raw-khoke'
Description: or רָחֹק; from רָחַק; remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition); (a-) far (abroad, off), long ago, of old, space, great while to come.