Proverbs 27:6

6 Faithful are the ¹wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the ²kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 27:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 27:6

Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend
That is, friendly reproofs; which, though they may be severe, at least thought so, and may grieve and wound, and cause pain and uneasiness for the present, yet, proceeding from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, and designed for the good of the person reproved, ought to be kindly received; see ( Psalms 141:5 ) ;

but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful;
flow from a deceitful heart, and not to be confided in, as the kisses of Joab and Judas. It may be rather rendered, "are to be deprecated" ^F25; prayed against, as real evils, hurtful and pernicious; and so the Targum renders it, "are evil". Good is the advice of Isocrates ^F26,

``reckon them faithful, not who praise everything thou sayest or doest, but those that reprove what is amiss.''

---

FOOTNOTES:

F25 (twrten) "deprecanda", Junius & Tremillius, Piscator, Cocceius, Amama.
F26 Ad Nicoclem, p. 38.

Proverbs 27:6 In-Context

4 Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

7 A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.

8 Like a bird that wanders from her nest, So is a man who wanders from his home.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 141:5; Proverbs 20:30
• 2. Matthew 26:49

Footnotes

• [a] Or "excessive"