Proverbs 27:10
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
Original Language Analysis
אָבִ֡יךָ
and thy father's
H1
אָבִ֡יךָ
and thy father's
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
3 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אַֽל
H408
אַֽל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
4 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
וּבֵ֥ית
house
H1004
וּבֵ֥ית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
6 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מֵאָ֥ח
into thy brother's
H251
מֵאָ֥ח
into thy brother's
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
7 of 16
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
8 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תָּ֭בוֹא
not neither go
H935
תָּ֭בוֹא
not neither go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
H3117
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אֵידֶ֑ךָ
of thy calamity
H343
אֵידֶ֑ךָ
of thy calamity
Strong's:
H343
Word #:
11 of 16
oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin
ט֥וֹב
for better
H2896
ט֥וֹב
for better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
12 of 16
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
Proverbs 18:24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.Proverbs 17:17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.Proverbs 19:7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.2 Samuel 19:24And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern society operated on patron-client relationships and family alliances spanning generations. A 'father's friend' represented inherited covenant relationships that provided social capital, wisdom, and mutual obligation. The extended family (brother's house) was primary safety net, but the proverb recognizes that geographic distance can limit practical help.
Questions for Reflection
- What long-term friendships (including those inherited from parents) have you neglected that should be renewed?
- How does our mobile society's frequent relocation affect our ability to have 'near neighbors' for crisis?
- In what ways should local church community function as both inherited friendship and proximate help?
Analysis & Commentary
Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off—The Hebrew re'akha v-re'a avikha al-ta'azov (רֵעֲךָ וְרֵעַ אָבִיךָ אַל־תַּעֲזֹב, 'your friend and your father's friend do not forsake') emphasizes multi-generational covenant loyalty. True friendship transcends convenience—it's inherited, cultivated, and maintained through seasons. The contrast between shaken qarov (שָׁכֵן קָרוֹב, 'near neighbor') and ach rachok (אָח רָחוֹק, 'far brother') isn't familial denigration but practical wisdom: proximity enables help in crisis.
Maintain long-term friendships and proximity to community. In calamity (eid, אֵיד, 'disaster'), theoretical relationships offer little comfort—you need people who can physically arrive. This wisdom informed early church practices of localized community with tangible mutual aid (Acts 2:44-45). Digital 'friendship' that lacks embodied presence offers limited help in real crisis.