Proverbs 27:6

6 Better be the wounds of him that loveth, than the guileful kisses of him that hateth. (Better be the wounds of him who loveth, than the deceitful kisses of him who hateth.)

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.''

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 27:6 In-Context

4 Ire hath no mercy, and strong vengeance breaking out hath no mercy; and who may suffer the fierceness of a spirit stirred? (and who can survive the fierceness of a stirred up, or a jealous, spirit?)

5 Better is open reproving, than a love hid. [Better is open amending, than hid love.] (Better be open rebukes, than hidden love.)

6 Better be the wounds of him that loveth, than the guileful kisses of him that hateth. (Better be the wounds of him who loveth, than the deceitful kisses of him who hateth.)

7 A man filled shall despise an honeycomb (A full person shall despise an honeycomb); but an hungry man shall take, yea, bitter thing for sweet.

8 As a bird passing over from his nest, so is a man that forsaketh his place. (Like a bird passing over its own nest, is a man who is far from his own home.)