Proverbs 27:26
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Proverbs 27:26
26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Chapter Context
Proverbs 27 is a wisdom sayings chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of holiness, love, righteousness. Written during primarily Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature was common in royal courts for training officials.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-27: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Proverbs and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Proverbs 27:26
26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Analysis
The lambs are for thy clothing (כְּבָשִׂים לִלְבוּשֶׁךָ, kevasim livushekha)—כֶּבֶשׂ (keves, 'lamb, sheep') provides לְבוּשׁ (levush, 'clothing, garment') through wool. The plural suggests sustainable yield: proper management allows shearing without slaughtering the flock.
And the goats are the price of the field (וּמְחִיר שָׂדֶה עַתּוּדִים, umechir sadeh attudim)—עַתּוּד (attud, 'male goat, he-goat') serves as מְחִיר (mechir, 'price, payment') for acquiring or maintaining the שָׂדֶה (sadeh, 'field, cultivated land'). The economic principle: faithful stewardship creates a self-sustaining cycle where assets generate resources for acquiring more productive capacity. This is biblical prosperity—not getting rich quick, but patient multiplication of God's entrustments (compare the parable of the minas, Luke 19:11-27).
Historical Context
In ancient agrarian economies, livestock served multiple functions: food (milk, meat), clothing (wool, leather), capital (breeding stock), and currency (trade, dowry, tribute). A well-managed flock provided sustainable income without depleting the principal—precisely the economic wisdom this passage teaches. Biblical stewardship emphasizes multiplication through faithful management.
Reflection
- How are you managing God's resources to create sustainable provision rather than short-term consumption?
- What 'assets' has God given you that, properly tended, could multiply provision for others?
- Where might you be consuming 'seed corn' that should be invested for future harvest?
Word Studies
- Lamb: שֶׂה / כֶּבֶשׂ (Seh / Kebes) H3532 - Lamb, young sheep