Proverbs 27:24

24 For thou shalt not have power continually; but a crown shall be given to thee in generation and into generation. (For thou shalt not have wealth forever; nor shall a crown endure for generations and generations.)

Proverbs 27:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 27:24

For riches [are] not for ever
A man cannot be assured of the continuance of them; they are uncertain things, here today and gone tomorrow: wherefore, though a man has a considerable share of them, yet should follow one calling or another; particularly husbandry is recommended, or keeping sheep and cattle, which are increasing; by which means his substance will be continued and augmented, which otherwise is not to be depended on, but in a diligent attendance to business; and doth the crown [endure] to every generation?
the royal crown, that is not to be depended upon; a king that wears a crown is not sure he shall always wear it, or that it shall be continued to his family one generation after another. And it is suggested, that it is not even beneath such persons to have a regard to their flocks and herds, and the increase of their riches in this way: the Chinese kings, many of them, formerly employed themselves in husbandry, and set examples of industry and diligence to their subjects F20; King Hezekiah provided himself possessions of flocks and herds in abundance, ( 2 Chronicles 32:28 2 Chronicles 32:29 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F20 Vid. Martin. Hist. Sinica, p. 92, 93, 326.

Proverbs 27:24 In-Context

22 Though thou poundedest a fool in a mortar, as with a pestle smiting above dried barley (like pounding dried barley with a pestle), his folly shall not be done away from him.
23 Know thou diligently the cheer of thy beast; and behold thou thy flocks. (Diligently know the faces of thy beasts; and keep watch thou over thy flocks.)
24 For thou shalt not have power continually; but a crown shall be given to thee in generation and into generation. (For thou shalt not have wealth forever; nor shall a crown endure for generations and generations.)
25 Meadows be opened, and green herbs appeared; and hay is gathered from [the] hills (and the grass is gathered from the hills).
26 Lambs be to thy clothing; and kids be to the price of the field. (Lambs be for thy clothing; and goat-kids be worth the price of a field.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.