Proverbs 24:27 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 24:27 mean?

Proverbs 24:27 teaches that a person should first take care of their outside work and prepare their fields before building their house. The verse encourages setting priorities by making sure the basics of livelihood and provision are secured before focusing on personal comfort or expansion.

The speaker is a wise teacher, likely Solomon, addressing young people or anyone seeking wisdom. The setting is agricultural, where preparing the field (the source of food and income) comes before building a permanent home. The verse uses practical advice about farming to illustrate the importance of planning and order in life’s responsibilities.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 24:27

• "Prepare" (כּוֹן, kun, H3559) means to establish or make ready. The word suggests thoughtful, deliberate action, not just hurried work.
• "Without" (בַּחוּץ, bachutz, H2351) means outside or outdoors. This highlights that the work to be done is in the open fields, not inside the home.
• "Field" (שָׂדֶה, sadeh, H7704) refers to cultivated land, the main source of sustenance in ancient Israel. The verse assumes that tending the field is the foundation for survival.
• "Build" (בָּנָה, banah, H1129) means to construct or establish. In this context, it refers to building a house, which represents settling down and enjoying the fruits of earlier labor.

Why Proverbs 24:27 matters

• Proverbs 24:27 clears up the order of priorities: it is wise to secure your means of living before focusing on personal comfort or luxury.
• The verse emphasizes planning and preparation, showing that careful groundwork leads to lasting stability.
• In the wider context of Proverbs, this advice fits with the book’s theme of practical wisdom for daily life, encouraging readers to think ahead and act with foresight.