¶ The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
The full {H7649} soul {H5315} loatheth {H947} an honeycomb {H5317}; but to the hungry {H7457} soul {H5315} every bitter thing {H4751} is sweet {H4966}.
A person who is full loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry, any bitter thing is sweet.
The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
-
Luke 15:16
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. -
Luke 15:17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! -
Numbers 11:18
And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow, and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us flesh to eat? for [it was] well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat. -
Numbers 11:20
[But] even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which [is] among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt? -
Numbers 21:5
And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for [there is] no bread, neither [is there any] water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. -
Numbers 11:4
¶ And the mixt multitude that [was] among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? -
Numbers 11:9
And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.
Proverbs 27:7 offers a profound insight into human nature, contrasting the perspective of abundance with that of scarcity. It speaks to how our internal state—whether satisfied or needy—shapes our appreciation and perception of external circumstances.
Context
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of wisdom sayings, often presenting sharp contrasts to highlight moral and practical truths. This verse, like many others in Proverbs, uses everyday observations to convey deeper principles. In ancient Israel, honeycomb was a highly prized delicacy, symbolizing sweetness, pleasure, and abundance. Hunger, on the other hand, was a common and pressing reality, making any food, even bitter fare, a welcome relief. This cultural context underscores the stark difference in perception described.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "soul" here is nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), which can refer to the whole person, appetite, or inner being. So, "the full soul" refers to a person who is completely sated or satisfied, perhaps to the point of being weary or even arrogant. The term "loatheth" (bus, בּוּז) conveys a sense of scorn or disdain, emphasizing the strong rejection of something that should be delightful.
Practical Application
Proverbs 27:7 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual apathy and a call to cultivate a posture of humility and need. It encourages us to:
This proverb reminds us that our perspective is everything. A truly hungry heart finds value and sweetness even in life's bitter moments, while a sated, ungrateful heart can find fault with even the best of blessings.