Proverbs 27:23-24 | The State of Thy Flocks
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A Verse Mapping Bible Study on Proverbs
For a review of the format for our Bible study, check out this post!
Week 44: Proverbs 27:23-24
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
Scripture Memory
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? Proverbs 27:23-24
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? Proverbs 27:23-24
B_ t___ d_______ t_ k___ t__ s____ o_ t__ f_____, a__ l___ w___ t_ t__ h____. F__ r_____ a__ n__ f__ e___: a__ d___ t__ c____ e_____ t_ e____ g_________? Proverbs 27:23-24
Bible Context
Who?
King Solomon
When?
Early in his reign, after 970 B.C.
Why?
To apply God’s wisdom to daily life.
For whom?
Israelites (The Jewish People).
Word Studies
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? Proverbs 27:23-24
Diligent | יָדַע
yāḏaʿ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Definition:
- To know, learn to know
- To perceive and see, find out and discern
- To know by experience
- To know how, be skilful in
Translations:
- Know 645x
- Known 105x
- Knowledge 19x
- Understand 7x
- Consider 6x
- Miscellaneous 85x
Know | יָדַע
yāḏaʿ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Definition:
- To know, learn to know
- To perceive and see, find out and discern
- To know by experience
- To know how, be skilful in
Translations:
- Know 645x
- Known 105x
- Knowledge 19x
- Understand 7x
- Consider 6x
- Miscellaneous 85x
State | פָּנִים
pānîm
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Definition:
- face, faces
- presence, person
- as adverb of location/temperature (before and behind, toward, in front of, forward)
Translations:
- before 1,137x
- face 390x
- presence 76x
- miscellaneous 195x
Look | שִׁית
šîṯ
Pronunciation: sheeth
Definition:
- to put, set
- to station, appoint, fix, set mind to
- to constitue, make (one something), make like
- to take one’s stand
Translations:
- set 23x
- made 19x
- lay 13x
- appoint 3x
Well | לֵב
lēḇ
Pronunciation: lave
Definition:
- inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
- midst (of things)
- mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
- resolution, determination (of will)
Translations:
- heart 508x
- understanding 10x
- well 4x
- kindly 2x
Every | דּוֹר
dôr
Pronunciation: dore
Definition:
- period, age, generation (period of time)
- generation (those living during a period)
- generation (characterized by quality, condition, class of men)
Translations:
- generation 133x
- all 18x
- many 6x
Generation | דּוֹר
dôr
Pronunciation: dore
Definition:
- period, age, generation (period of time)
- generation (those living during a period)
- generation (characterized by quality, condition, class of men)
Translations:
- generation 133x
- all 18x
- many 6x
Paraphrase
Be thou [knowing by experience] to [perceive and see] the [presence, person] of thy flocks, and [set your mind to] [with determination, heart] to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to [many, all] [generations]? Proverbs 27:23-24
Bible Cross References
Ezekiel 34:12
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
John 10:3
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Reflections
About God
As Jesus is the great shepherd, we are his flocks. He is always diligent (knowing that he knows) every part of our lives, inside and out.
About Self
As one of His sheep, I must listen for God’s voice. But I also must in this life know and take care of the people or things that the Lord has called me to protect – my husband, my child(ren), my family, my job, my business, my home... Only those people that the Lord has given me to mentor/shepherd/take care of will last in eternity, but it still my responsibility to steward the rest of the gifts, material or spiritual, well.
Side note – this brings back thoughts from the first week of October and Prov 22:24-25, where the Hebrew word for “friendship” is the same word for “shepherd.” Not only is Jesus our great shepherd, He is our friend. And not only are we given friends (and family) on this earth to love, we are responsible in some degree to “shepherd” them (especially our children, physical and spiritual) toward Jesus.
Questions to Ask Myself
- Am I truly concentrating and intentionally knowing the people the Lord has given me to love? Am I leading them to Christ in every situation?
- Am I doing my best in each aspect of my life, using my gifts (physical and spiritual) from the Lord for His glory? Am I stewarding my life well?