Keil and Delitzsch Commentary - Proverbs 24:27 - 24:27

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Keil and Delitzsch Commentary - Proverbs 24:27 - 24:27


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Warning against the establishing of a household where the previous conditions are wanting:

Set in order thy work without,

And make it ready for thyself beforehand in the fields, -

After that then mayest thou build thine house.

The interchange of בַּחוּץ and בַּשָּׂדֶה shows that by מְלֶאכֶת הַשָּׂדֶה field-labour, 1Ch 27:26, is meant. הכין, used of arrangement, procuring, here with מלאכה, signifies the setting in order of the word, viz., the cultivation of the field. In the parallel member, עַתְּדָה, carrying also its object, in itself is admissible: make preparations (lxx, Syr.); but the punctuation עַתְּדָהּ (Targ., Venet.; on the other hand, Jerome and Luther translate as if the words were ועתדה הַשָּׂדֶה) is not worthy of being contended against: set it (the work) in the fields in readiness, i.e., on the one hand set forward the present necessary work, and on the other hand prepare for that which next follows; thus: do completely and circumspectly what thy calling as a husbandman requires of thee - then mayest thou go to the building and building up of thy house (vid., at Pro 24:3, Pro 14:1), to which not only the building and setting in order of a convenient dwelling, but also the bringing home of a housewife and the whole setting up of a household belongs; prosperity at home is conditioned by this - one fulfils his duty without in the fields actively and faithfully. One begins at the wrong end when he begins with the building of his house, which is much rather the result and goal of an intelligent discharge of duty within the sphere of one's calling. The perf., with ו after a date, such as אַחַר, עוֹד מְעַט, and the like, when things that will or should be done are spoken of, has the fut. signification of a perf. consec., Gen 3:5; Exo 16:6., Pro 17:4; Ewald, §344b.