Proverbs 25:27

Translation
King James Version
¶ It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
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KJV (with Strong's)
It is not good H2896 to eat H398 much H7235 honey H1706: so for men to search H2714 their own glory H3519 is not glory H3519.
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Complete Jewish Bible
It isn't good to eat too much honey or to seek honor after honor.
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Berean Standard Bible
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
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American Standard Version
It is not good to eat much honey; Sofor mento search out their own glory is grievous.
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World English Bible Messianic
It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
It is not good to eate much hony: so to search their owne glory is not glory.
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Young's Literal Translation
The eating of much honey is not good, Nor a searching out of one's own honour--honour.
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See also
John 5:44Proverbs 27:2Philippians 2:32 Corinthians 12:1Proverbs 25:162 Corinthians 12:11
In the KJVVerse 17,141 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Proverbs 25:27 presents a potent analogy to caution against the perils of self-exaltation. It asserts that just as an excessive consumption of honey, though initially pleasing, ultimately leads to discomfort or nausea, so too does the relentless pursuit of one's own honor fail to yield true glory. The proverb underscores a profound principle: genuine honor is not something that can be aggressively sought or manufactured; rather, it is often a byproduct of humility and righteous living, bestowed by God or others, contrasting sharply with the emptiness and futility of self-aggrandizement.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Proverbs 25:27 is situated within a collection of "proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied" (Proverbs 25:1). This particular chapter contains a series of independent, pithy sayings offering practical wisdom for daily living, often employing vivid imagery and comparisons drawn from common experience. Many proverbs in this section address themes of speech, self-control, neighborly relations, and the dangers of pride or folly. The immediate preceding verses, such as Proverbs 25:26, deal with the corruption of the righteous in society, while Proverbs 25:28 speaks to the critical importance of self-control, particularly over one's spirit, creating a thematic cluster around personal character and its public manifestation. Proverbs 25:27 fits seamlessly within this literary flow, offering a concise, memorable lesson on the counterproductive nature of self-promotion and the true source of lasting honor.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, honey was a highly prized and versatile commodity, often considered a luxury. It was a primary sweetener, a source of energy, and frequently used for medicinal purposes. Its natural abundance in the land was a sign of blessing and prosperity, frequently symbolizing pleasantness, wisdom, and the goodness of God's provision, as seen in passages like Proverbs 24:13 and the description of the promised land as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). Given its value and general appeal, the experience of consuming too much honey and the resulting unpleasantness (nausea, discomfort) would have been a universally understood phenomenon. This common, tangible experience forms the basis of the proverb's analogical wisdom, making its message about the pursuit of glory readily accessible and impactful to an agrarian society deeply familiar with natural provisions. The concept of "glory" (Hebrew: kâbôwd) was also deeply embedded in the cultural fabric, signifying honor, reputation, dignity, and social standing, often tied to one's family, tribe, or accomplishments, but ultimately understood as originating from God.
  • Key Themes: Proverbs 25:27 contributes significantly to several overarching themes found throughout the book of Proverbs. Primarily, it champions the theme of humility versus pride. While the book frequently warns against the destructive nature of pride (e.g., Proverbs 16:18), this verse specifically addresses the futility and negative consequences of actively seeking one's own honor. It also reinforces the theme of moderation and self-control, suggesting that even inherently good things (like honey or honor) become detrimental when pursued in excess or with the wrong motives. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the concept of true versus false glory, implying that genuine honor is not self-generated but rather an outcome of a virtuous life, often bestowed by God or others, as opposed to the empty pursuit of self-aggrandizement. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that true honor comes from God and is often granted to those who humble themselves before Him, as seen in 1 Samuel 2:30.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Good (Hebrew, ṭôwb', H2896): This word carries a broad semantic range, encompassing what is pleasant, agreeable, beneficial, beautiful, or morally right. In the context of "not good to eat much honey," ṭôwb signifies that such an action is not beneficial or pleasant; it is detrimental or disagreeable, leading to an undesirable outcome. This sets up the negative consequence that mirrors the pursuit of self-glory.
  • Search (Hebrew, chêqer', H2714): Derived from the root חָקַר, meaning "to examine" or "to find out," chêqer here denotes an active, diligent, and perhaps even exhaustive investigation or pursuit. When applied to "glory," it describes a deliberate, often intense, effort to acquire or uncover one's own honor or recognition. The implication is that this is not a passive reception of honor but an aggressive, self-initiated seeking of it.
  • Glory (Hebrew, kâbôwd', H3519): This term fundamentally means "weight" or "heaviness," but figuratively it refers to splendor, honor, dignity, reputation, or abundance. In the proverb, its repetition creates a powerful wordplay. The first instance refers to the honor one seeks, while the second, negated instance ("is not glory"), emphatically declares that the outcome of such a self-serving search is not true, weighty, or lasting honor. It is an empty, hollow pursuit that fails to achieve its intended purpose.

Verse Breakdown

  • "It is not good to eat much honey": This initial clause establishes the analogy. Honey, an inherently delightful and valuable substance, becomes "not good" or even harmful when consumed in excessive quantities. This highlights the principle that even inherently good things can have negative consequences when moderation is abandoned and self-control is lost. The unpleasant physical sensation of overindulgence serves as a tangible parallel for the spiritual or social discomfort and emptiness of self-exaltation.
  • "so for men to search their own glory is not glory.": This clause applies the established analogy to human behavior, specifically the pursuit of personal honor and recognition. The phrase "to search their own glory" implies an active, deliberate, and often relentless effort to gain acclaim or praise for oneself. The powerful repetition and subsequent negation ("is not glory") emphatically declare that such a self-seeking endeavor will not result in genuine, weighty, or lasting honor. Instead, it produces an outcome that is contrary to true glory, much like the nauseating effect of too much honey. The second "glory" is effectively negated by the act of "searching one's own," revealing the paradox that self-promotion diminishes true honor.

Literary Devices

Proverbs 25:27 primarily employs Analogy and Wordplay. The Analogy is central to the proverb's wisdom, comparing the physical experience of overeating honey to the spiritual and social consequences of seeking one's own glory. This makes an abstract concept (the nature of true honor) concrete and relatable, leveraging a universally understood physical sensation. The unpleasantness and nausea resulting from too much honey serve as a vivid metaphor for the emptiness, disdain, and often negative reception that accompanies self-promotion. The proverb also masterfully utilizes Wordplay through the repetition of the Hebrew word for "glory" (kâbôwd). By stating that "to search their own glory is not glory," the text creates an emphatic contrast between the perceived or desired "glory" and its actual, hollow, and ultimately unfulfilling outcome. This rhetorical device highlights the paradox: the very act of aggressively pursuing honor undermines its true essence, rendering it something other than genuine, weighty glory.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This proverb deeply resonates with the biblical emphasis on humility as a prerequisite for true exaltation and the inherent futility of human-centered glory. It teaches that honor, when genuinely attained, is often a divine gift or a natural consequence of a life lived righteously and humbly, rather than something that can be seized or manufactured through self-promotion. The pursuit of one's own glory is fundamentally a manifestation of pride, which consistently stands in opposition to God's character and purposes. True glory belongs to God alone, and when humans seek it for themselves, they usurp a divine prerogative, leading to spiritual emptiness, a lack of genuine respect, and often social disdain. This wisdom aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God exalts the humble and resists the proud, revealing that lasting honor flows from a posture of dependence on and devotion to Him.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

In a world that often celebrates self-promotion, personal branding, and the relentless pursuit of recognition, Proverbs 25:27 offers a counter-cultural and profoundly liberating truth. It challenges us to examine the underlying motives of our actions. Are we striving for excellence and service out of a genuine desire to honor God and bless others, or are we primarily driven by a craving for personal acclaim and validation? The proverb reminds us that the latter path, while seemingly attractive and promising, ultimately leads to a sense of emptiness, dissatisfaction, and often alienates those around us. True influence, respect, and lasting honor are not commodities that can be aggressively acquired; rather, they are often the organic fruit of a life characterized by humility, integrity, and a genuine desire to serve God and others. Embracing this wisdom means shifting our focus from what we can gain for ourselves to how we can genuinely contribute to God's kingdom and glorify His name, trusting that any true honor will be a byproduct of His grace and our faithfulness.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of my life might I be "searching my own glory" rather than seeking to honor God or serve others?
  • What does "true glory" look like in a biblical sense, and how does it differ from worldly recognition and fleeting fame?
  • How can I cultivate a spirit of humility in my daily interactions and work, rather than seeking self-exaltation or external validation?
  • What practical steps can I take to shift my focus from personal acclaim to glorifying God in all that I do, trusting Him with the outcome?

FAQ

Why is eating "much honey" used as an analogy for seeking one's own glory?

Answer: The analogy is profoundly effective because honey, while delightful and beneficial in moderation, becomes unpleasant, nauseating, or even harmful when consumed in excessive quantities. This common physical experience serves as a relatable metaphor for the spiritual and social consequences of self-exaltation. Just as an overdose of something good turns bad, the aggressive pursuit of personal honor, though seemingly desirable, ultimately fails to deliver genuine glory and often results in disdain, emptiness, or even shame, much like the discomfort of too much honey. The proverb highlights the principle that even good things can become detrimental when moderation is abandoned and self-serving motives dominate, turning a potential blessing into a burden.

Does this proverb mean that all recognition or honor is bad?

Answer: No, the proverb does not condemn all recognition or honor. Instead, it specifically warns against actively "searching their own glory," implying a self-centered, aggressive, or obsessive pursuit of personal acclaim. The Bible often speaks of honor bestowed by God or as a natural consequence of righteous living (e.g., Proverbs 22:4). The issue is the motive and method of acquiring honor. When honor is sought for oneself, it often becomes a hollow pursuit, devoid of true weight or lasting significance. True honor, in biblical thought, is often a byproduct of humility, service, and a life lived for God's glory, rather than something manufactured by human effort or pride.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Proverbs 25:27 finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound counterpoint in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Unlike humanity's pervasive tendency to "search their own glory," Jesus consistently emptied Himself, refusing to seek His own honor but always glorifying the Father. The apostle Paul beautifully articulates this in Philippians 2:5-8, describing Christ's profound humility in taking "the form of a servant" and becoming "obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Jesus did not grasp for divine prerogatives or earthly recognition; instead, He embraced the path of self-sacrifice and service. Yet, precisely because of this radical humility, God "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). This demonstrates the divine paradox: true glory and exaltation are not found in self-seeking but in self-giving. Jesus' life perfectly illustrates that the "glory" that comes from God is vastly superior to any "glory" men might seek for themselves, providing the ultimate model for those who would follow Him to live for God's glory alone (1 Corinthians 10:31) and trust Him for all true honor.

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Commentary on Proverbs 25 verse 27

27 ¶ It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

I. Two things we must be graciously dead to: - 1. To the pleasures of sense, for it is not good to eat much honey; though it pleases the taste, and, if eaten with moderation, is very wholesome, yet, if eaten to excess, it becomes nauseous, creates bile, and is the occasion of many diseases. It is true of all the delights of the children of men that they will surfeit, but never satisfy, and they are dangerous to those that allow themselves the liberal use of them. 2. To the praise of man. We must not be greedy of that any more than of pleasure, because, for men to search their own glory, to court applause and covet to make themselves popular, is not their glory, but their shame; every one will laugh at them for it; and the glory which is so courted is not glory when it is got, for it is really no true honour to a man.

II. Some give another sense of this verse: To eat much honey is not good, but to search into glorious and excellent things is a great commendation, it is true glory; we cannot therein offend by excess. Others thus: "As honey, though pleasant to the taste, if used immoderately, oppresses the stomach, so an over-curious search into things sublime and glorious, though pleasant to us, if we pry too far, will overwhelm our capacities with a greater glory and lustre than they can bear." Or thus: "You may be surfeited with eating too much honey, but the last of glory, of their glory, the glory of the blessed, is glory; it will be ever fresh, and never pall the appetite."

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verse 27. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Proverbs
"As he who eats much honey," etc. For the sweetness of honey, if more than is necessary is consumed, where the mouth delights, from there the life of the eater is harmed. Sweet also is the inquiry of majesty; but he who seeks this more than the recognition of humanity allows, that same glory of it crushes him, because like honey taken immoderately, while it is not comprehended, it breaks the sense of the one investigating. However, not only should every wise person take heed not to seek things higher than themself, and not to examine things more powerful than their capacity, but also not to render to themselves things which could rightly and usefully be known, less useful by immoderate speech. Hence it is aptly added:
Richard ChallonerAD 1781
Majesty: Viz., of God. For to search into that incomprehensible Majesty, and to pretend to sound the depths of the wisdom of God, is exposing our weak understanding to be blinded with an excess of light and glory, which it cannot comprehend.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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