Proverbs 27:8

¶ As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so [is] a man that wandereth from his place.

As a bird {H6833} that wandereth {H5074} from her nest {H7064}, so is a man {H376} that wandereth {H5074} from his place {H4725}.

Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.

Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.

As a bird that wandereth from her nest, So is a man that wandereth from his place.

Commentary

Proverbs 27:8 offers a vivid simile, comparing a bird that strays from its nest to a person who wanders from their rightful or appointed "place." This verse from the KJV highlights the profound importance of stability, belonging, and purpose.

Context

The book of Proverbs is a collection of ancient wisdom, offering practical guidance for living a righteous and successful life. Many proverbs use everyday observations from nature or human experience to convey deep truths. This particular verse, like others in Proverbs, emphasizes the value of order, discipline, and remaining within established boundaries—whether physical, relational, or spiritual—for one's well-being and security. It speaks to the consequences of aimlessness and dislocation within one's community or calling.

Key Themes

  • Stability and Security: Just as a bird's nest provides safety, shelter, and a place for its young, a person's "place" (home, community, family, calling, or moral standing) offers vital security and stability. Wandering from it implies vulnerability and loss.
  • Belonging and Purpose: The verse suggests that every individual has a natural or intended "place" where they thrive. To wander from it is to lose a sense of belonging and potentially one's purpose or direction in life.
  • Consequences of Dislocation: A bird away from its nest is exposed to dangers and lacks resources. Similarly, a person who strays from their proper sphere—be it familial, vocational, or moral—may face hardship, isolation, and a lack of grounding. This can be seen in stories like the prodigal son who wandered from his father's house, only to find destitution.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wandereth" (nāḏaḏ) implies a restless, aimless movement, often suggesting a fleeing or straying from a fixed point. It carries a negative connotation of instability or being unsettled. The term "place" (māqōm) can refer to a physical location, but also to one's standing, position, or sphere of influence within a community or family. It encompasses not just where one physically resides, but where one belongs and finds their identity and purpose.

Practical Application

Proverbs 27:8 encourages us to reflect on our own "place" in life. It challenges us to value and cultivate stability in our homes, families, and communities. For believers, it underscores the importance of being rooted in faith and in a community of believers. It serves as a reminder:

  • To Cherish Our Home and Family: Recognizing the home as a vital nest of security and nurture.
  • To Embrace Our Calling: Understanding and diligently pursuing the unique purpose God has given us, rather than being aimless.
  • To Remain Grounded: Avoiding spiritual or moral wandering that can lead to vulnerability and separation from the sources of true security and rest in God's presence.
  • To Seek Wisdom: To make choices that lead to stability and flourishing, rather than erratic decisions that lead to displacement or loss of blessing.

Ultimately, this proverb is a timeless warning against the perils of being unmoored, urging us to find and remain in our rightful "place" for a life of greater security, peace, and fruitfulness.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jonah 1:10

    Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

  • Jonah 1:17

    Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

  • Isaiah 16:2

    For it shall be, [that], as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, [so] the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.

  • Proverbs 21:16

    ¶ The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

  • Genesis 16:6

    But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid [is] in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

  • Genesis 16:8

    And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:20

    Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
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