Proverbs 27:6 — Word Study
WLCנֶ֭אֱמָנִים פִּצְעֵ֣י אוֹהֵ֑ב וְ֝נַעְתָּר֗וֹת נְשִׁיק֥וֹת שׂוֹנֵֽא׃
BSAThe woundspetsaʻ [faithful, from a lover] of a friendʼâhab [one who loves, a dear one] are faithfulʼâman [be faithful, trustworthy] but the kissesnᵉshîyqâh [abundant, profuse] of an enemysânêʼ [one who hates, a foe] [are] deceitfulʻâthar [false, pleasant but insincere]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נֶ֭אֱמָנִים | [are] reliable | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) masculine plural |
| פִּצְעֵ֣י | [the] wounds of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| אוֹהֵ֑ב | [one who] loves | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| וְ֝נַעְתָּר֗וֹת | and [are] abundant | Conjunction, verb niphal participle (active) feminine plural |
| נְשִׁיק֥וֹת | [the] kisses of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| שׂוֹנֵֽא׃ | [one who] hates | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. |
| KJV | Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. |
| ASV | Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse. |
| YLT | Faithful are the wounds of a lover, And abundant the kisses of an enemy. |
| WEB | The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse. |
| BBE | The wounds of a friend are given in good faith, but the kisses of a hater are false. |
The translations agree on the meaning and rendering of the key terms in this verse.
The verse consists of two main clauses that contrast the nature of friendship and enmity, emphasizing the weight of each relationship.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 27:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Value of Honest Relationshipsgenerated
Proverbs 27:6 highlights the importance of genuine relationships, where a true friend may offer painful truths, while an enemy may disguise their intentions with insincere praise. This verse serves as a reminder that love can sometimes be tough, but it is ultimately beneficial, contrasting with the superficiality of false friendships. Similar themes can be seen in Proverbs 27:5, which emphasizes the value of open rebuke over hidden love.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 12:7–15 | Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. |
| 2 | Job 5:17–18 | Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. |
| 3 | Psalm 141:5 | Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked. |
| 4 | Hebrews 12:10 | Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. |
| 5 | Revelation 3:19 | Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נֶ֭אֱמָנִים, Ne.'e.ma.nimgenerated
The word נֶ֭אֱמָנִים (Ne.'e.ma.nim) is a participle form of the verb אָמַן (aman), meaning 'to be faithful' or 'trustworthy.' It describes the reliability of a friend, emphasizing that their wounds come from a place of love and genuine concern.
This term is used in contexts where trust and support are essential, as seen in various passages throughout the Bible. The parsing indicates that it is a masculine plural participle, suggesting a collective reliability among friends.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, the verse is analyzed using the Berean Standard Bible, which uses faithful for נֶ֭אֱמָנִים.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is built around two main clauses. The first clause centers on the subject of a friend's wounds, identified as נֶ֭אֱמָנִים, while the second clause focuses on the kisses of an enemy, described as נְשִׁיק֥וֹת.
The contrasting elements are presented clearly, with the finite verbs indicating the state of each subject, emphasizing the dichotomy between faithful love and deceitful affection.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נֶ֭אֱמָנִים as πιστὰ (pista), meaning 'faithful.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, underscoring the reliability of a friend's wounds.
For נְשִׁיק֥וֹת, the Septuagint uses φιλήματα (philēmata), which also conveys the idea of affectionate gestures, but in this context, it highlights their insincerity.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 27:6 teaches that sometimes a true friend may hurt us with honest words, while an enemy may flatter us with false affection. This verse reminds us to value genuine friendships that can be tough but are ultimately beneficial.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that a true friend may say or do things that hurt us, but their intentions are rooted in love and concern, making their actions trustworthy.
Kisses from an enemy may appear affectionate but are insincere, masking true hostility or ill intentions.
This verse encourages us to appreciate friends who are honest with us, even when it is difficult, and to be wary of those who offer flattery without sincerity.
It highlights the importance of being truthful with friends, even when it may cause discomfort, as genuine love often requires honesty.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How do I respond when a friend gives me constructive criticism?
- In what ways can I ensure that my friendships are built on honesty and trust?
- Have I ever mistaken flattery for genuine affection? How can I be more discerning?
- What steps can I take to be a better friend who speaks the truth in love?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, emphasizing the value of rebuke from friends compared to the deceit of enemies.
Rebukes are good, and often better than a silent friendship. Even if a friend thinks himself hurt, still rebuke him; and if the bitterness of the correction wounds his mind, still rebuke him and fear not.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 27 →
The wounds of love are good too, better than kisses. For “useful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Peter wounds, and Judas kisses.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 27 →
Not everyone who spares is a friend, nor is everyone who strikes an enemy. “Better are the wounds of a friend than the proffered kisses of an enemy.” Love mingled with severity is better than deceit with indulgence.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 27 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 27:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFaithful [are] the wounds of a friend,.... That is, friendly reproofs; which, though they may be severe, at least thought so, and may grieve and wound, and cause pain and uneasiness for the present,
Read John Gill on Proverbs 27 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFaithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 27 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleFaithful are the wounds; they proceed from an upright, and truly loving, and faithful soul, and really promote the good of the person reproved. The wounds; the sharpest reproofs, which for the present wound his spirit and reputation. The kisses; all the fair speeches and outward professions of friendship. Are deceitful; or, are to be deprecated; are perfidious and pernicious, and such things as one may pray to God to be delivered from them. Or, are forced, like things which are procured with great difficulty, and many entreaties.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 27 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 27:6 Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful.Ver. 6. Faithful are the wounds of a friend.] And are therefore to be prayed for; "but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful," or to be detested, and therefore prayed against: so some read the words, and make the opposition. See this done by David. Knocks from "a righteous man" he would take for "kindnesses"; but the precious oils of the wicked - answerable to their kisses here - he would cry out of, as the "breaking of his head"; for so Mercer, Ainsworth, and others read that text, and the Septuagint accordeth, saying, Let not the oil of the sinner supple my head; by oil meaning flattering words…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 27 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend—i.e., the “open rebuke” of the previous verse, the “smiting” and “reproof” of Psalms 142:5. The kisses of an enemy are deceitful.—Rather, plentiful, showered upon one, but all meaningless.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 27 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. deceitful] This rendering follows the fraudulenta of the Vulgate; whereas earnest (A.V. marg.) may be due to the ἑκούσια of the LXX. The alternative rendering of A.V. marg., frequent, or, as it is happily given in R.V., profuse, is to be preferred. He overdoes his part.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 27 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleDeceitful - Better, abundant. Very lavish is the enemy of the kisses that cover perfidy, but lavish of them only. His courtesy goes no deeper.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 27 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible6. The wounds — Cutting rebukes from faithful friends are, from the nature of the case, few. They are never given except when necessity demands them.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 27 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
Tyndale line
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend: but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
The wounds of a louer are faithful, and the kisses of an enemie are pleasant.
Strictly literal
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Faithful are the wounds of a lover, And abundant the kisses of an enemy.
The wounds of a lover are faithful, || And the kisses of an enemy [are] abundant.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but deceptive are the kisses of an enemy.
Faithful are the wounds caused by a friend, but an enemy may kiss you profusely.
From the Latin
Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful kisses of an enemy.
Simplified
A friend's honest comments may hurt you, but an enemy's kisses are over the top.
The wounds of a friend are given in good faith, but the kisses of a hater are false.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree on the wording of this verse, with five out of six words matching. The Septuagint's word order and articles differ, but the core message remains consistent across both texts.
נֶ֭אֱמָנִים פִּצְעֵ֣י אוֹהֵ֑ב וְ֝נַעְתָּר֗וֹת נְשִׁיק֥וֹת שׂוֹנֵֽא׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 27:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַן (aman) is a Hebrew root meaning to support or confirm, with applications ranging from nurturing (as a foster parent or nurse) to establishing trust and reliability. It encompasses concepts of faithfulness, permanence, and assurance. The entries highlight its use in various forms, including verbs and nouns, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
[אָמַן] vb. confirm, support
Qal
as vb. support, nourish
as subst. foster-father
foster-mother, nurse
pillars, supporters of the door
Niph.
carried by nurse
made firm, sure, lasting
confirmed, established, sure
verified, confirmed
reliable, faithful, trusty
Hiph.
stand firm
trust, believe
base
H539 אָמַן confirm, support .. as vb. support, nourish
. as subst. foster-father
. foster-mother, nurse
. pillars, supporters of the door
. . carried by nurse
. made firm, sure, lasting
. confirmed, established, sure
. verified, confirmed
. reliable, faithful, trusty
. . stand firm
. trust, believe
539 'aman aw-man'
a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster
as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or
faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet;
morally to be true or certain; once (Isa. 30:21;
interchangeable with 541) to go to the right hand:--hence,
assurance, believe, bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful
(of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty,
verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the
right.
see HEBREW for 0541
אָמַן (a.man) — be faithful.
1) to support, confirm, be faithful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish
1a1a) foster-father (subst.)
1a1b) foster-mother, nurse
1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm
1b1a) to be carried by a nurse
1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting
1b1c) confirmed, established, sure
1b1d) verified, confirmed
1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in
1c1a) stand firm
1c1b) trust, believe
Aramaic equivalent: a.man (אֲמַן "to trust" H0540)
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine pluralHVNrmpa
פֶּ֫צַע (petsah) refers to a bruise or wound. It is derived from the root word for 'wound' and is consistently used in this context across the lexicons.
פֶּ֫צַע n.m. bruise, wound
base
H6482 פֶּ֫צַע bruise, wound
6482 petsa` peh'-tsah
from 6481; a wound:--wound(-ing).
see HEBREW for 06481
פֶּ֫צַע (pe.tsa) — wound.
bruise, wound
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.
אָהֵב 216 vb. love
Qal
human love to human object
less oft. of appetite
love to God
esp. Pt.
of divine love
Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable
Pi.
friends
lovers
base
H157 אָהֵב love
157 'ahab aw-hab'
or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for
(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,
friend.
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.
: lover
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
1a5b) to people Israel
1a5c) to righteousness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) lovely (participle)
1b2) loveable (participle)
1c) (Piel)
1c1) friends
1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)
2) to like
Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.
: friend
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
luvz (Ps 45:1, title).
See PSALMS.
עָתַר (athar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be abundant or plentiful. It can be used in different forms, such as Niphal, which suggests a state of being plentiful, and Hiphil, indicating an action of multiplying. The entries also note a connotation of deceitfulness or hypocrisy in certain contexts.
[עָתַר] vb. be abundant
Niph. crooked, hypocritical
Hiph. ye have multiplied against me your words
base
H6280 עָתַר
6280 `athar aw-thar'
a primitive root; to be (causatively, make)
abundant:--deceitful, multiply.
עָתַר (a.tar) — be abundant.
1) to be abundant
1a) (Niphal) to be plentiful
1b) (Hiphil) to multiply, become abundant
Conj | V-Niphal-Inf-c — Conjunction · verb niphal participle (active) feminine pluralHC/VNrfpa
נְשִׁיקָה (nshiyqah) means 'kiss' and is derived from the root word for 'to kiss' (H5401). The entries consistently define it as a noun referring to the act of kissing.
[נְשִׁיקָה] n.f. kiss
base
H5390 נְשִׁיקָה
5390 nshiyqah nesh-ee-kaw'
from 5401; a kiss:--kiss.
see HEBREW for 05401
נְשִׁיקָה (ne.shi.qah) — kiss.
kiss
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שָׂנֵא (sane') is a primitive root meaning 'to hate.' It covers various forms of hatred, including personal animosity and enmity, and can refer to both humans and God. The word appears in different grammatical forms, with uses in Qal, Niphal, and Piel, indicating actions of hating or being hated. Its Aramaic equivalent is שְׂנָא.
שָׂנֵא 145 vb. hate
Qal 128 hate
Niph. is hated
Pi. enemy
base
H8130 שָׂנֵא hate
8130 sane' saw-nay'
a primitive root; to hate (personally):--enemy, foe, (be)
hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.
שָׂנֵא (sa.ne) — to hate.
1) to hate, be hateful
1a) (Qal) to hate
1a1) of man
1a2) of God
1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst)
1b) (Niphal) to be hated
1c) (Piel) hater (participle)
1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom
Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa