Proverbs 27:23
New International Version
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

New Living Translation
Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds,

English Standard Version
Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,

Berean Standard Bible
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;

King James Bible
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

New King James Version
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds;

New American Standard Bible
Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;

NASB 1995
Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;

NASB 1977
Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;

Legacy Standard Bible
Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;

Amplified Bible
Be diligent to know the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds;

Christian Standard Bible
Know well the condition of your flock, and pay attention to your herds,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Know well the condition of your flock, and pay attention to your herds,

American Standard Version
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds:

Contemporary English Version
You should take good care of your sheep and goats,

English Revised Version
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be fully aware of the condition of your flock, and pay close attention to your herds.

Good News Translation
Look after your sheep and cattle as carefully as you can,

International Standard Version
Keep well informed of the condition of your flocks and pay attention to your herds,

Majority Standard Bible
Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;

NET Bible
Pay careful attention to the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds,

New Heart English Bible
Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds:

Webster's Bible Translation
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

World English Bible
Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Know the face of your flock well, "" Set your heart to the droves,

Young's Literal Translation
Know well the face of thy flock, Set thy heart to the droves,

Smith's Literal Translation
Knowing, thou shalt know the face of thy flock; set thy heart to thy herds.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be diligent to know the countenance of thy cattle, and consider thy own flocks :

Catholic Public Domain Version
Be diligent to know the countenance of your cattle, and consider your own flocks,

New American Bible
Take good care of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

New Revised Standard Version
Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When you are feeding the sheep, know their faces and set your mind on the flock.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Whenever you shepherd, know the faces of your sheep, and set your heart upon your flock.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Do thou thoroughly know the number of thy flock, and pay attention to thine herds.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do not Boast about Tomorrow
22Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him. 23Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; 24for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.…

Cross References
John 10:11-14
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ...

Ezekiel 34:2-4
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

1 Peter 5:2-3
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Psalm 23:1-4
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. / He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. ...

Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

Jeremiah 23:1-4
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD. / Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. ...

1 Timothy 3:5
For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?

Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Samuel 17:34-36
David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

Luke 12:42-44
And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

Genesis 31:38-40
I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. / I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night. / As it was, the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes.

1 Corinthians 9:7
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk?

2 Samuel 12:1-4
Then the LORD sent Nathan to David, and when he arrived, he said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. / The rich man had a great number of sheep and cattle, / but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. ...

Matthew 25:14-30
For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds.

diligent

Genesis 31:38-40
This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten…

Genesis 33:13
And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

1 Samuel 17:28
And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

look well or set thy heart

Proverbs 24:32
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

Exodus 7:23
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.

Deuteronomy 32:46
And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.

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Acquainted Appearance Attention Care Careful Condition Diligent Droves Face Flock Flocks Heart Herds Pay State Sure
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Acquainted Appearance Attention Care Careful Condition Diligent Droves Face Flock Flocks Heart Herds Pay State Sure
Proverbs 27
1. observations of self love
5. of true love
11. of care to avoid offenses
23. and of the household care














Be sure to know
The phrase "be sure to know" emphasizes the importance of diligence and awareness. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "יָדַע" (yada), which means to know, perceive, or understand. This implies an intimate, comprehensive knowledge, not just a superficial awareness. In a conservative Christian perspective, this can be seen as a call to stewardship, urging believers to be thoroughly acquainted with the responsibilities God has entrusted to them. It is a reminder that God values diligence and accountability in all aspects of life.

the state of your flocks
The "state of your flocks" refers to the condition and well-being of one's resources or responsibilities. In ancient Israel, flocks were a primary source of wealth and sustenance, symbolizing one's livelihood. The Hebrew word for "state" is "פָּנִים" (panim), which can also mean face or presence, suggesting a need to be present and attentive to one's duties. This phrase encourages believers to be mindful of their spiritual and material resources, ensuring they are well-maintained and flourishing under God's guidance.

and pay close attention
"Pay close attention" is a call to vigilance and careful observation. The Hebrew root "שִׁית" (shith) means to set, place, or appoint, indicating a deliberate and focused effort. This phrase underscores the importance of being proactive and intentional in managing what God has given. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, it serves as a reminder that believers are called to be watchful and discerning, not only in their personal lives but also in their spiritual walk and community involvement.

to your herds
The term "herds" refers to larger groups of livestock, such as cattle, which were also vital to the agrarian society of biblical times. The Hebrew word "עֵדֶר" (eder) signifies a collective group, highlighting the broader scope of one's responsibilities. In a spiritual sense, this can be interpreted as a call to care for the community or congregation, ensuring that all members are nurtured and protected. It reflects the biblical principle of shepherding, where leaders are tasked with guiding and safeguarding their flock, much like a shepherd with his sheep.

(23) Be thou diligent to know the state of thy herds. . . .--In the last five verses of this chapter the peace and security of the pastoral life are described as being far superior to the uncertainty attending other sources of wealth and the regal power. For the spiritual sense of this passage comp. 1Peter 5:2-4

Verses 23-27. - A mashal ode in praise of a pastoral and agricultural life. The moralist evidently desires to recall his countrymen from the luxury of cities and the temptations of money making to the simple ways of the patriarchs and the pleasures of country pursuits - which are the best foundation of enduring prosperity. Verse 23. - Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks. "State;" פָנִים (panim); vultum, Vulgate; the face, look, appearance. The LXX. has ψυχάς, which may perhaps mean "the number" - a necessary precaution when the sheep wandered on the downs and mountains, and had to be collected in the evening and folded. These precepts are naturally applied to all rulers, and especially to Christian pastors who have the oversight of the flock of Christ (1 Peter 5:2-4). Ecclus. 7:22, "Hast thou cattle? have an eye to them; and if they he for thy profit, keep them with thee."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Be sure to know
יָדֹ֣עַ (yā·ḏō·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3045: To know

the state
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of your flocks,
צֹאנֶ֑ךָ (ṣō·ne·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

and pay close attention
שִׁ֥ית (šîṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7896: To put, set

to your herds;
לַעֲדָרִֽים׃ (la·‘ă·ḏā·rîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 27:23 Know well the state of your flocks (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 27:22
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