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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/27.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/27.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/27.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind or trying to hold something with greased hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/27.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/27.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/27.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, <i>which</i> bewrayeth <i>itself</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/27.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Whoever restrains her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/27.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He who would restrain her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/27.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He who would restrain her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/27.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He who would restrain her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/27.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He who would restrain her restrains the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/27.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Whoever attempts to restrain her [criticism] might as well try to stop the wind, And grasps oil with his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/27.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the one who controls her controls the wind and grasps oil with his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/27.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one who controls her controls the wind and grasps oil with his right hand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/27.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that would restrain her restraineth the wind; And his right hand encountereth oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/27.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It's easier to catch the wind or hold olive oil in your hand than to stop a nagging wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/27.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that would restrain her restraineth the wind, and his right hand encountereth oil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/27.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whoever can control her can control the wind. He can even pick up olive oil with his right hand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/27.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How can you keep her quiet? Have you ever tried to stop the wind or ever tried to hold a handful of oil? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/27.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Trying to keep her in check is like stopping a wind storm or grabbing oil with your right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/27.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one?s right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/27.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Whoever hides her hides the wind or grasps oil with his right hand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/27.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/27.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Whoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand which bewrayeth itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/27.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/27.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever is hiding her has hidden the wind, "" And the ointment of his right hand calls out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/27.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Whoso is hiding her hath hidden the wind, And the ointment of his right hand calleth out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/27.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He hiding her, hid the wind, and he shall call the oil of his right hand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/27.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that retaineth her, is as he that would hold the wind, and shall call in the oil of his right hand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/27.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He who would restrain her, he is like one who would grasp the wind, or who would gather together oil with his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/27.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whoever would hide her hides a stormwind and cannot tell north from south. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/27.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in the right hand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/27.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The north wind is severe, but it is called the right wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/27.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The North wind is severe, and it is called by name "Propitious.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/27.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that would hide her hideth the wind, And the ointment of his right hand betrayeth itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/27.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The north wind is sharp, but it is called by name propitious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/27-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5598" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/27.htm">Do not Boast about Tomorrow</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike— <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6845.htm" title="6845: ṣō·p̄ə·ne·hā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; to hide; by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically to protect, to lurk.">restraining her</a> <a href="/hebrew/6845.htm" title="6845: ṣā·p̄an- (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to hide; by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically to protect, to lurk.">is like holding back</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-cs) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">the wind</a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: yiq·rā (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">or grasping</a> <a href="/hebrew/8081.htm" title="8081: wə·še·men (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Fat, oil. From shaman; grease, especially liquid; figuratively, richness.">oil</a> <a href="/hebrew/3225.htm" title="3225: yə·mî·nōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Right hand. From yaman; the right hand or side of a person or other object; locally, the south.">with one’s right hand.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Proverbs 19:13</a></span><br />A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Proverbs 21:9</a></span><br />Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Proverbs 21:19</a></span><br />Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-24.htm">Proverbs 25:24</a></span><br />Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-1.htm">Proverbs 14:1</a></span><br />Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-26.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:26</a></span><br />And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a></span><br />For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16</a></span><br />To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-3.htm">1 Samuel 25:3</a></span><br />His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-25.htm">1 Samuel 25:25</a></span><br />My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/2-9.htm">Job 2:9</a></span><br />Then Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Matthew 5:32</a></span><br />But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-6.htm">Matthew 19:6</a></span><br />So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-9.htm">Mark 10:9</a></span><br />Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">1 Corinthians 7:10-11</a></span><br />To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Whoever hides her hides the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which denudes itself.</p><p class="hdg">the ointment</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/12-3.htm">John 12:3</a></b></br> Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/17-5.htm">Betrayeth</a> <a href="/matthew/26-73.htm">Bewrayeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-6.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-14.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-6.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/71-4.htm">Grasp</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Grasping</a> <a href="/job/8-17.htm">Grasps</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-15.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-2.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-12.htm">Hideth</a> <a href="/psalms/119-114.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-9.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-9.htm">Ointment</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-15.htm">Restrain</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Restraineth</a> <a href="/psalms/65-7.htm">Restraining</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Restrains</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-11.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-5.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-23.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/26-46.htm">Betrayeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-24.htm">Bewrayeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-20.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-10.htm">Good</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-28.htm">Grasp</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Grasping</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-19.htm">Grasps</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-28.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-12.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-27.htm">Hideth</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-12.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-25.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-18.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">Ointment</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Restrain</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-11.htm">Restraineth</a> <a href="/john/11-38.htm">Restraining</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-10.htm">Restrains</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-2.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 27</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/27-1.htm">observations of self love</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/27-5.htm">of true love</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/27-11.htm">of care to avoid offenses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/27-23.htm">and of the household care</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/27.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/27.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Restraining her is like holding back the wind</b><br>This phrase uses a vivid metaphor to describe the futility of trying to control a contentious or quarrelsome person. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the wind was often seen as a powerful and uncontrollable force, much like in the story of Jesus calming the storm (<a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39</a>). The wind's unpredictability and strength make it an apt comparison for the challenges faced when dealing with a difficult person. The imagery suggests that just as one cannot capture or direct the wind, so too is it impossible to change the nature of someone who is determined to be contentious. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of the heart's stubbornness, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>, which speaks to the deceitful nature of the human heart.<p><b>Or grasping oil with one’s right hand</b><br>Oil in biblical times was a valuable commodity, used for anointing, cooking, and as a symbol of blessing and abundance (<a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Psalm 23:5</a>). The right hand is often associated with strength and skill (<a href="/psalms/110.htm">Psalm 110:1</a>), yet even with one's strongest effort, oil slips through the fingers, illustrating the impossibility of the task. This metaphor highlights the elusive and slippery nature of trying to manage or control a quarrelsome person. The imagery of oil also connects to the anointing of kings and priests, pointing to the idea that some things are beyond human control and require divine intervention. This can be seen in the anointing of David (<a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">1 Samuel 16:13</a>), where God's choice and empowerment were necessary for leadership. The futility of grasping oil underscores the need for wisdom and discernment in relationships, as emphasized throughout the book of Proverbs.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human behavior and relationships are reflected in this verse.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_quarrelsome_woman.htm">The Quarrelsome Woman</a></b><br>This verse metaphorically refers to a contentious or quarrelsome woman, a recurring theme in Proverbs, symbolizing difficult interpersonal relationships.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, where family and community dynamics were central, provides the backdrop for understanding the relational wisdom in Proverbs.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_control.htm">The Futility of Control</a></b><br>Attempting to control or change a quarrelsome person is as futile as trying to restrain the wind or grasp oil. This teaches us to recognize the limits of our influence over others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_peaceful_relationships.htm">The Importance of Peaceful Relationships</a></b><br>The verse highlights the value of cultivating peaceful and harmonious relationships, encouraging us to seek wisdom in our interactions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_choosing_companions.htm">Wisdom in Choosing Companions</a></b><br>Proverbs often advises on the importance of choosing companions wisely. This verse serves as a reminder to surround ourselves with those who promote peace and understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-reflection_and_personal_growth.htm">Self-Reflection and Personal Growth</a></b><br>While the verse speaks of a quarrelsome woman, it invites all believers to reflect on their own behavior and strive to be peacemakers in their relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god_with_difficult_relationships.htm">Trusting God with Difficult Relationships</a></b><br>When faced with challenging relationships, we are reminded to trust God for wisdom and guidance, rather than relying solely on our efforts to change others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_27.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 27</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_true_friendship_biblically.htm">What qualities define true friendship according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_proverbs_20_27_align_with_science.htm">Proverbs 20:27 claims 'the spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord'--how can this be reconciled with scientific understandings of human consciousness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_proverbs_10_3_with_starving_believers.htm">Proverbs 10:3 claims God prevents the righteous from going hungry--how do we reconcile this with starving believers throughout history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_paul_foresee_the_shipwreck.htm">In Acts 27:9-10, how could Paul, with no maritime expertise, accurately predict the ship's disaster when seasoned sailors disagreed?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/27.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind--</span><span class= "ital">i.e., </span>you might as well try and stop the wind from blowing as seek to restrain her.<p><span class= "bld">And the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.</span>--Rather, perhaps, <span class= "ital">and oil meeteth his right hand</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>if he puts out his hand to stop her she slips through it like oil.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/27.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind.</span> Whoever tries to restrain a shrewish woman, or to conceal her faults, might as well attempt to confine the wind or to check its violence. <span class="cmt_word">And the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself</span>. He might as well try to hide the ointment which signifies its presence by its odour. But there is no "which" in the original, which runs literally, "his right hand calls oil," or, "oil meets his right hand." The former is supposed to mean that he is hurt in the struggle to coerce the vixen, and needs ointment to heal his wound; but the latter seems the correct rendering, and the meaning then is that, if he tries to hold or stop his wife, she escapes him like the oil which you try in vain to keep in your hand. An old adage says that there are three things which cannot be hidden, but always betray themselves, viz. a woman, the wind, and ointment. The LXX. has read the Hebrew differently, translating, "The northwind is harsh, but by name it is called lucky (<span class="greek">ἐπιδέξιος</span>);" <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. because it clears the sky and introduces fine weather. The Syriac, Aquila, and Symmachus have adopted the same reading. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/27-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">restraining her</span><br /><span class="heb">צֹפְנֶ֥יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(ṣō·p̄ə·ne·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6845.htm">Strong's 6845: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, to hoard, reserve, to deny, to protect, to lurk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is like holding back</span><br /><span class="heb">צָֽפַן־</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·p̄an-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6845.htm">Strong's 6845: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, to hoard, reserve, to deny, to protect, to lurk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wind</span><br /><span class="heb">ר֑וּחַ</span> <span class="translit">(rū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or grasping</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקְרָֽא׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">oil</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֶׁ֖מֶן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·še·men)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8081.htm">Strong's 8081: </a> </span><span class="str2">Grease, liquid, richness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with one’s right hand.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְמִינ֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·mî·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3225.htm">Strong's 3225: </a> </span><span class="str2">The right hand, side, the south</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/27-16.htm">Proverbs 27:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/27-16.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 27:16 Restraining her is like restraining the wind (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/27-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 27:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 27:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/27-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 27:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 27:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>