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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 27:7 The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/27-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/20_Pro_27_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 27:7 - Do not Boast about Tomorrow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/27-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/27-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/27.htm">Chapter 27</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/27-6.htm" title="Proverbs 27:6">◄</a> Proverbs 27:7 <a href="/proverbs/27-8.htm" title="Proverbs 27:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div 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 />One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/27.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/27.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/27.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/27.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/27.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing <i>is</i> sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/27.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A satisfied person despises honey, But to a hungry person any bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/27.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/27.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/27.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A satisfied soul tramples the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul any bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/27.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He who is satisfied loathes honey, But to the hungry soul any bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/27.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A person who is full tramples on a honeycomb, but to a hungry person, any bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/27.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A person who is full tramples on a honeycomb, but to a hungry person, any bitter thing is sweet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/27.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/27.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you have had enough to eat, honey doesn't taste good, but if you are really hungry, you will eat anything. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/27.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The full soul loatheth an honeycomb: but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/27.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />One who is full despises honey, but to one who is hungry, even bitter food tastes sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/27.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When you are full, you will refuse honey, but when you are hungry, even bitter food tastes sweet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/27.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The person who is full spurns honey, but to a hungry person even the bitter seems sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/27.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/27.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The one whose appetite is satisfied loathes honey, but to the hungry mouth every bitter thing is sweet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/27.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/27.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The full soul lotheth a honey-comb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/27.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/27.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A satiated soul treads down a honeycomb, "" And every bitter thing [is] sweet [to] a hungry soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/27.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A satiated soul treadeth down a honeycomb, And to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/27.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The full soul will tread down the honey droppings, and to the hungry soul all bitter is sweet.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/27.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A soul that is full shall tread upon the honeycomb : and a soul that is hungry shall take even bitter for sweet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/27.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A sated soul will trample the honeycomb. And a hungry soul will accept even bitter in place of sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/27.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />One who is full spurns honey; but to the hungry, any bitter thing is sweet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/27.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The sated appetite spurns honey, but to a ravenous appetite even the bitter is sweet.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/27.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A person who is full loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry person even a bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/27.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The soul that is full treads on honeycombs, and even bitter things are sweet to the hungry soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/27.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/27.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A full soul scorns honeycombs; but to a hungry soul even bitter things appear sweet.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/27-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5521" 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">6</span>The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ne·p̄eš (N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">The soul</a> <a href="/hebrew/7649.htm" title="7649: ḇê·‘āh (Adj-fs) -- Sated, satisfied, surfeited. From saba'; satiated.">that is full</a> <a href="/hebrew/947.htm" title="947: tā·ḇūs (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To tread down, trample. A primitive root; to trample.">loathes</a> <a href="/hebrew/5317.htm" title="5317: nō·p̄eṯ (N-ms) -- Flowing honey, honey from the comb. From nuwph in the sense of shaking to pieces; a dripping i.e. Of honey.">honey,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7457.htm" title="7457: rə·‘ê·ḇāh (Adj-fs) -- Hungry. From ra'eb; hungry.">but to a hungry</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: wə·ne·p̄eš (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">soul,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">any</a> <a href="/hebrew/4751.htm" title="4751: mar (Adj-ms) -- Bitter, bitterness. Or marah; from marar; bitter; also bitterness, or bitterly.">bitter thing</a> <a href="/hebrew/4966.htm" title="4966: mā·ṯō·wq (Adj-ms) -- Sweet, sweetness. Or mathuwq; from mathaq; sweet.">is sweet.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.…<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="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a></span><br />Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-8.htm">Psalm 34:8-10</a></span><br />Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! / Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. / Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-1.htm">Isaiah 55:1-2</a></span><br />“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-53.htm">Luke 1:53</a></span><br />He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-13.htm">John 4:13-14</a></span><br />Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-9.htm">Psalm 107:9</a></span><br />For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-12.htm">Philippians 4:12</a></span><br />I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-8.htm">1 Timothy 6:8</a></span><br />But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a></span><br />But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/63-5.htm">Psalm 63:5</a></span><br />My soul is satisfied as with the richest of foods; with joyful lips my mouth will praise You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:7</a></span><br />All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-21.htm">Luke 6:21</a></span><br />Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">1 Peter 2:2-3</a></span><br />Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, / now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The full soul loathes an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.</p><p class="hdg">full</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/11-4.htm">Numbers 11:4-9,18-20</a></b></br> And the mixt multitude that <i>was</i> among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/21-5.htm">Numbers 21:5</a></b></br> And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for <i>there is</i> no bread, neither <i>is there any</i> water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.</p><p class="hdg">loatheth or treadeth under foot</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/6-7.htm">Job 6:7</a></b></br> The things <i>that</i> my soul refused to touch <i>are</i> as my sorrowful meat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/15-16.htm">Luke 15:16,17</a></b></br> And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/6-9.htm">John 6:9</a></b></br> There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/19-13.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/job/18-12.htm">Famished</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-16.htm">Full</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-27.htm">Honey</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-13.htm">Honeycomb</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-13.htm">Honey-Comb</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/numbers/21-5.htm">Loathes</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-17.htm">Sated</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-17.htm">Satiated</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-25.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Sweet</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-17.htm">Tastes</a> <a href="/daniel/8-10.htm">Trampleth</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-9.htm">Treadeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-28.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Famished</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-27.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm">Full</a> <a href="/songs/4-11.htm">Honey</a> <a href="/songs/4-11.htm">Honeycomb</a> <a href="/songs/4-11.htm">Honey-Comb</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-21.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-45.htm">Loathes</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-22.htm">Need</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-10.htm">Sated</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm">Satiated</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-9.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-9.htm">Sweet</a> <a href="/titus/2-2.htm">Tastes</a> <a href="/daniel/8-10.htm">Trampleth</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-3.htm">Treadeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-9.htm">Use</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/27.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>The soul that is full</b><br />The Hebrew word for "soul" here is "nephesh," which often refers to the inner being or life force of a person. In this context, it suggests a person who is satisfied or satiated. Historically, the concept of fullness is associated with abundance and contentment. In ancient times, a full soul would imply someone who has all their needs met, both physically and spiritually. This phrase serves as a metaphor for spiritual complacency, where one becomes indifferent to even the sweetest of offerings, such as honey, which was a prized delicacy in biblical times.<p><b>loathes honey</b><br />"Loathes" comes from the Hebrew word "buws," meaning to trample or despise. Honey, in the ancient Near East, was not only a sweetener but also a symbol of prosperity and divine blessing. The loathing of honey by a full soul illustrates how abundance can lead to a lack of appreciation for what is good and valuable. This reflects a spiritual truth that when people are spiritually or materially satisfied, they may become indifferent to God's blessings and truths.<p><b>but to a hungry soul</b><br />The "hungry soul" contrasts sharply with the full soul. The Hebrew word for "hungry" is "ra'eb," which denotes a deep craving or need. This phrase highlights the condition of spiritual hunger, where there is a yearning for fulfillment and sustenance. Historically, hunger was a common experience, and it drove people to seek sustenance with urgency and appreciation. Spiritually, this hunger represents a deep desire for God and His righteousness, as seen in <a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a>, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."<p><b>any bitter thing is sweet</b><br />The phrase "any bitter thing" uses the Hebrew word "mar," which means bitter or unpleasant. In a historical context, bitterness often referred to hardship or difficult experiences. The sweetness of bitterness to a hungry soul illustrates the transformative power of need and desire. When one is truly hungry, even the most challenging or unpleasant experiences can be seen as valuable and satisfying. This reflects the spiritual truth that those who earnestly seek God will find satisfaction and sweetness even in trials and tribulations, as they recognize the growth and closeness to God that such experiences bring.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/27.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">The full soul loatheth an honeycomb.--</span>So the moderate use of the good things of this life increases our enjoyment of them. But in spiritual things, the less we content ourselves with, the less hunger we feel, and less enjoyment do we derive from them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/27.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The full soul loatheth an honeycomb</span>. For "loathes" the Hebrew is literally "treads upon," "tramples underfoot," which is the expression of the greatest disgust and contempt; or it may mean that the well-fed man will not stoop to pick up the comb which may have dropped in his path from some tree or rock. But whichever way we take it, the same truth is told - Self-restraint increases enjoyment; over-iudulgence produces satiety, fatigue, and indolence. Horace, 'Sat.,' 2:2, 38 - <p><span class="foreign">"Jejunus raro stomachus vulgaria temnit."</span> But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. So the prodigal in the parable would fain fill himself with the husks which the swine did eat. So we say, "Hunger is the best sauce;" the Germans, "Hunger makes raw beans sweet;" and the Portuguese. "Brackish water is sweet in a dry land." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/27-7.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">The soul</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֣פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">that is full</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂ֭בֵעָה</span> <span class="translit">(ḇê·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7649.htm">Strong's 7649: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sated, satisfied, surfeited</span><br /><br /><span class="word">loathes</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּב֣וּס</span> <span class="translit">(tā·ḇūs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_947.htm">Strong's 947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread down, trample</span><br /><br /><span class="word">honey,</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹ֑פֶת</span> <span class="translit">(nō·p̄eṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5317.htm">Strong's 5317: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flowing honey, honey from the comb</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but to a hungry</span><br /><span class="heb">רְ֝עֵבָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(rə·‘ê·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7457.htm">Strong's 7457: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hungry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">soul,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנֶ֥פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">any</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bitter thing</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4751.htm">Strong's 4751: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bitter, bitterness, bitterly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is sweet.</span><br /><span class="heb">מָתֽוֹק׃</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ṯō·wq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4966.htm">Strong's 4966: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sweet, sweetness</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/27-7.htm">Proverbs 27:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/27-7.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 27:7 A full soul loathes a honeycomb (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/27-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 27:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 27:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/27-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 27:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 27:8" /></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>