Proverbs 27:23
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
Original Language Analysis
תֵּ֭דַע
Be thou diligent
H3045
תֵּ֭דַע
Be thou diligent
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
תֵּ֭דַע
Be thou diligent
H3045
תֵּ֭דַע
Be thou diligent
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
2 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
פְּנֵ֣י
the state
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
the state
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 7
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
צֹאנֶ֑ךָ
of thy flocks
H6629
צֹאנֶ֑ךָ
of thy flocks
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
4 of 7
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
Cross References
1 Peter 5:2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;2 Chronicles 26:10Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.Genesis 33:13And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.Proverbs 24:32Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.John 10:3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.Ezekiel 34:31And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.Deuteronomy 32:46And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
Historical Context
In ancient Israel's pastoral economy, wealth consisted primarily in livestock. Unlike modern absentee ownership, biblical shepherding required personal, daily involvement. David's faithfulness as a shepherd prepared him for kingship (1 Samuel 17:34-37). The imagery would resonate deeply in an agrarian society where negligent stewardship meant ruin.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'flocks' has God entrusted to your stewardship—family, ministry, work, resources?
- Are you giving personal, attentive care to what God has given you, or merely managing from a distance?
- How does faithful stewardship of earthly resources prepare you for eternal responsibilities?
Analysis & Commentary
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks (יָדֹעַ תֵּדַע פְּנֵי צֹאנֶךָ, yado'a teda penei tzonekha)—the emphatic doubling of יָדַע (yada, 'to know') creates an intensive imperative: 'knowing, know!' This is intimate, experiential knowledge, not mere information. The פָּנִים (panim, 'face') of the flock suggests personal attention to each animal's condition.
And look well to thy herds (שִׁית לִבְּךָ לַעֲדָרִים, shit libekha la'adarim)—literally 'set your heart to the herds.' The לֵב (lev, 'heart') again emphasizes not casual observation but devoted attention. This begins a five-verse unit (23-27) on stewardship and providence, teaching that faithful management of God's gifts secures lasting provision. Jesus's parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) extends this principle to all divine entrustments.