Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
Can a man {H376} take {H2846} fire {H784} in his bosom {H2436}, and his clothes {H899} not be burned {H8313}?
Can a man carry fire inside his shirt without burning his clothes?
Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned?
Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Job 31:9
¶ If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or [if] I have laid wait at my neighbour's door; -
Job 31:12
For it [is] a fire [that] consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase. -
Hosea 7:4
They [are] all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, [who] ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened. -
Hosea 7:7
They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: [there is] none among them that calleth unto me. -
James 3:5
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Proverbs 6:27 presents a vivid rhetorical question, serving as a powerful warning against the inevitable consequences of dangerous actions, particularly those related to sexual immorality.
Context of Proverbs 6:27
This verse is part of a larger section in the Book of Proverbs (chapters 5-7) that intensely warns against the temptations and devastating effects of adultery and promiscuity. The fatherly instruction in Proverbs aims to guide a young man towards wisdom and away from folly. Prior to this verse, Proverbs 6 addresses various pitfalls, including idleness and deceit, before shifting its focus to the dangers of the adulterous woman from verse 20 onwards. The imagery of fire is used to underscore the destructive nature of such sin, leading directly into the rhetorical question of verse 27, followed by another similar question in Proverbs 6:28.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "fire" (אֵשׁ, 'esh) and "bosom" (חֵיק, cheyq, referring to the fold of a garment over the chest) are simple yet potent. The rhetorical question is a common didactic device in ancient wisdom literature, designed to elicit immediate agreement and emphasize the self-evident truth of the statement. It doesn't require an answer because the answer is obvious: no, one cannot do such a thing without harm. This makes the warning particularly impactful.
Practical Application
Proverbs 6:27 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It teaches us several vital lessons: