Proverbs 27:27

And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Proverbs 27:27 (KJV)

Context

This verse closes a short passage about caring for flocks and herds (Proverbs 27:23-27). The writer urges diligence in knowing the state of one’s flocks because riches do not last forever, but the earth and its produce do. In ancient Israel, goats’ milk was a staple food, and the passage promises that faithful care of goats would yield enough milk for daily needs. The passage reflects an agrarian setting where prosperity was often measured in livestock and produce.

Meaning

The verse promises that if a person faithfully tends his goats, he will have enough goats’ milk for his own food, for his household, and for the maintenance of his maidens. The Hebrew word for goats in verse 26 refers to he-goats, which were sold to buy fields or pay rent; the word in verse 27 refers to she-goats, kept for their milk. The mention of maidens shows that the household included servants, and the master’s responsibility extended to them. The promise is for “enough“—sufficiency, not excess. This teaches contentment with what God provides through honest work. God blesses diligent labor with daily bread and the ability to care for one’s family and servants. The verse emphasizes practical provision: God blesses diligent labor with daily bread and the ability to care for one’s family and servants.

Biblical connections

This verse is not primarily about spiritual wealth but about God’s faithfulness to supply material needs through diligent labor. It illustrates the principle of faithful stewardship later developed in the New Testament. The care for the whole household, including servants, reflects a practical outworking of righteousness in daily life. God cares for our physical needs, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:25-34, though that connection is thematic rather than direct. The verse itself does not mention Christ, but it points to the broader biblical theme of God as provider. This theme of provision through ordinary work is consistent with the wisdom literature’s emphasis on practical godliness.

Application

• Diligence and responsibility: This verse encourages us to be diligent in managing our resources. Whether it is time, finances, relationships, or talents, we should use them wisely, seeking to bring glory to God and bless others.

• Gratitude and dependence on God: As we witness God’s provision, we should cultivate gratitude and recognize that all good things come from Him. Acknowledging our dependence on God fosters humility and deeper reliance on Him.

• Generosity and care for others: Just as God blesses us, we are called to bless others. This verse encourages us to care for our families, friends, and those in need, extending our provision and support to them. Our generosity reflects God’s heart and helps build a community that flourishes.

Reflection

Faithful work in ordinary duties is a means of divine provision. The promise of “enough” invites us to trust God for daily bread and to find peace in sufficiency rather than striving for excess. As we tend to our daily responsibilities, we can rest in the assurance that God sees our labor and supplies our needs, enabling us to care for those under our charge. This verse encourages sustainable, God-honoring labor, reminding us that God’s provision often comes through our faithful stewardship of what He has given. It also implies contentment with what God provides, as the promise is for sufficiency, not abundance.