Proverbs 27:9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Original Language Analysis
שֶׁ֣מֶן
Ointment
H8081
שֶׁ֣מֶן
Ointment
Strong's:
H8081
Word #:
1 of 8
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
יְשַׂמַּֽח
rejoice
H8055
יְשַׂמַּֽח
rejoice
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
3 of 8
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
לֵ֑ב
the heart
H3820
לֵ֑ב
the heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
4 of 8
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וּמֶ֥תֶק
so doth the sweetness
H4986
וּמֶ֥תֶק
so doth the sweetness
Strong's:
H4986
Word #:
5 of 8
figuratively, pleasantness (of discourse)
Cross References
Psalms 104:15And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.Proverbs 16:21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.Psalms 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Proverbs 15:23A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!Song of Solomon 3:6Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
Historical Context
Perfumed oils and incense were luxury items in ancient Israel, used for anointing, religious rituals, and personal fragrance. Their pleasant aroma provided sensory delight in a world with limited such pleasures. The comparison elevates friendship to the status of precious commodities—relationships as valuable as expensive aromatic goods.
Questions for Reflection
- Do your friendships provide 'hearty counsel' that challenges and refines, or merely pleasant agreement?
- How can you cultivate the kind of soul-deep friendship that gives honest, loving counsel?
- In what ways does Jesus's friendship offer counsel that's simultaneously difficult yet 'sweet' to your soul?
Analysis & Commentary
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel—The Hebrew shemen u-qetoret (שֶׁמֶן וּקְטֹרֶת, 'oil and incense') evokes pleasant sensory experience that gladdens the lev (לֵב, 'heart'). Yet superior to aromatic delight is a friend's metheq-nephesh (מֶתֶק־נֶפֶשׁ, 'sweetness of soul')—counsel that comes from etzah nephesh (עֲצַת־נֶפֶשׁ, 'counsel of soul'), advice rooted in genuine care.
True friendship offers more than pleasant company—it provides 'hearty counsel,' the Hebrew suggesting advice from the depths of one's being. Such counsel may be difficult to hear, yet it's sweeter than perfume because it genuinely benefits the hearer (Proverbs 27:6). The gospel provides the ultimate friendship: Christ calls His disciples 'friends' and counsels them through His Spirit (John 15:15).