King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
Complete Jewish Bible:
When the hay has been mown, and the new grass appears, and the mountain greens have been gathered;
Berean Standard Bible:
When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered,
American Standard Version:
The hay is carried, and the tender grass showeth itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The hay{H2682} appeareth{H1540}, and the tender grass{H1877} sheweth{H7200} itself, and herbs{H6212} of the mountains{H2022} are gathered{H622}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 10:5
- ¶ He that gathereth in summer [is] a wise son: [but] he that sleepeth in harvest [is] a son that causeth shame.
Psalms 104:14
- He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 27:25
Proverbs 27:25 is a verse that uses a pastoral image to convey its wisdom. The verse reads, "The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered." This proverb likely reflects an agrarian society's observations of the changing seasons, particularly the transition from winter to spring. The verse metaphorically illustrates the themes of growth, provision, and the importance of timing.
In its historical context, the book of Proverbs is part of the Hebrew Bible's Wisdom Literature, which includes Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. These texts were compiled over many centuries, with Proverbs attributed to various authors, including Solomon, king of Israel (c. 970–931 BCE). The sayings in Proverbs were collected to provide guidance on living a virtuous and wise life, often using everyday experiences and observations of nature to teach moral lessons.
The imagery of the verse speaks to the cycle of life and the reliability of nature's processes. Just as the hay, tender grass, and mountain herbs emerge and are harvested in their due season, so too should individuals understand that there is a proper time for different activities and pursuits in life. The verse encourages attentiveness to the rhythms of life and the importance of seizing the moment when opportunities arise, much like a farmer must gather crops at the right time to ensure a good harvest.
In a broader sense, Proverbs 27:25 can be interpreted as an encouragement to be diligent and to recognize the signs of the times, whether in personal endeavors, communal responsibilities, or spiritual growth. It is a call to act with prudence and to be mindful of the seasons of life, taking care to prepare and respond appropriately to the circumstances one faces. The verse reassures that just as nature provides sustenance in its time, so too will wisdom and right action yield their rewards in due course.
*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: H2682
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָצִיר
Transliteration: châtsîyr
Pronunciation: khaw-tseer'
Description: perhaps originally the same as חָצִיר, from the greenness of a courtyard; grass; also a leek (collectively); grass, hay, herb, leek. - Strong's Number: H1540
There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּלָה
Transliteration: gâlâh
Pronunciation: gaw-law'
Description: a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal; [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. - Strong's Number: H1877
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּשֶׁא
Transliteration: desheʼ
Pronunciation: deh'-sheh
Description: from דָּשָׁא; a sprout; by analogy, grass; (tender) grass, green, (tender) herb. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H6212
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶשֶׂב
Transliteration: ʻeseb
Pronunciation: eh'seb
Description: from an unused root meaning to glisten (or be green); grass (or any tender shoot); grass, herb. - Strong's Number: H2022
There are 485 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הַר
Transliteration: har
Pronunciation: har
Description: a shortened form of הָרָר; a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively); hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. - Strong's Number: H622
There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָסַף
Transliteration: ʼâçaph
Pronunciation: aw-saf'
Description: a primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.); assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw.