Complete your outdoor workThis phrase emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks and responsibilities. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, outdoor work often referred to agricultural activities, which were crucial for survival. The Bible frequently uses agricultural metaphors to convey spiritual truths, as seen in passages like
Matthew 13:3-9, where Jesus speaks of the sower and the seeds. The emphasis here is on diligence and the necessity of ensuring that foundational tasks are completed before moving on to other endeavors. This principle can be applied to spiritual life, where foundational spiritual disciplines should be established before pursuing other ministries or callings.
and prepare your field;
Preparing the field involves plowing, sowing, and ensuring that the land is ready for planting. This preparation is a metaphor for laying the groundwork in any endeavor, whether it be spiritual, personal, or professional. In biblical times, preparing the field was a labor-intensive process that required foresight and planning. This concept is echoed inLuke 14:28-30, where Jesus speaks about counting the cost before building a tower. The preparation of the field can also be seen as a type of Christ, who prepared the way for salvation through His life and ministry, ensuring that the groundwork was laid for the growth of the Kingdom of God.
after that, you may build your house.
Building a house represents establishing a stable and secure life. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, building a house was a significant undertaking that symbolized permanence and legacy. The sequence of events in this proverb underscores the importance of having a solid foundation before embarking on more complex projects. This mirrors the teaching of Jesus inMatthew 7:24-27, where He compares those who hear His words and act on them to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The house, in this sense, can also be seen as a metaphor for one's life or spiritual state, which should be built on the firm foundation of Christ and His teachings.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart practical wisdom and guidance.
2.
Ancient IsraelThe cultural and historical context of this proverb is ancient Israel, where agriculture was a primary occupation, and the society was agrarian.
3.
Agricultural PracticesThe proverb references the common practice of prioritizing fieldwork and ensuring a stable food supply before focusing on building a home.
Teaching Points
Prioritize WiselyThe proverb teaches the importance of setting priorities. In life, certain tasks must be completed before others to ensure stability and success.
Plan for the FutureJust as a farmer prepares the field before building a house, we should plan and prepare for future needs, ensuring that foundational aspects of life are secure.
Diligence in WorkThe verse encourages diligence and hard work. Completing outdoor work first ensures that basic needs are met, reflecting a disciplined approach to responsibilities.
Spiritual PreparationBeyond physical preparation, this principle can be applied spiritually. We should cultivate our spiritual lives and relationship with God before focusing on external achievements.
Balance in LifeThe proverb suggests a balance between work and personal life. By prioritizing essential tasks, we can create a stable environment for personal and family growth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 24:27?
2.How does Proverbs 24:27 emphasize the importance of preparation before building a home?
3.What practical steps can we take to "prepare your work outside" today?
4.How does Proverbs 24:27 relate to Jesus' teachings on counting the cost?
5.In what ways can this verse guide our financial planning and stewardship?
6.How can Proverbs 24:27 influence our approach to career and family priorities?
7.How does Proverbs 24:27 relate to prioritizing tasks in a Christian's life?
8.What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 24:27?
9.How does Proverbs 24:27 reflect the importance of preparation in biblical teachings?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 24?
11.Proverbs 24:27: Does the instruction to “finish your outdoor work” before building a house conflict with archaeological evidence of ancient settlement patterns?
12.When should one get married?
13.What is the ideal age to marry?
14.What does the Bible say about saving money?What Does Proverbs 24:27 Mean
Complete your outdoor workProverbs 24:27 begins by urging diligence in the tasks that sustain life: “Complete your outdoor work”. In Solomon’s agrarian context, the labor outside—plowing, sowing, tending livestock—produced the food and income a family needed.
• The principle still applies: establish your livelihood first.Proverbs 14:23 reminds us, “In all toil there is profit.”
• The ant illustrates this wisdom, storing up food in summer (Proverbs 6:6-8).
• Paul echoes the same priority: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
God placed Adam in the garden “to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15), showing that productive labor is part of His design.
and prepare your fieldPreparation follows completion. Clearing stones, repairing fences, and planting seed make the field ready for growth.
• Thoughtful planning turns raw effort into fruitful results: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance” (Proverbs 21:5).
• Jesus highlights the same wisdom: “Which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?” (Luke 14:28).
Practical applications today might include:
– Setting a realistic budget before major purchases
– Gaining training or certifications before launching a business
– Building savings before taking on long-term obligations
“Know well the condition of your flocks” and you’ll have “plenty of goats’ milk for your household” (Proverbs 27:23-27); that is field preparation in action.
after thatOrder matters. Scripture constantly affirms sequence: “There is a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
• Rushing ahead can sabotage future stability.
• Waiting until the right moment expresses faith and self-control.
Paul commands that “all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40); Jesus urges us to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). Priorities protect us from impulsive choices.
you may build your houseWith resources secured and plans laid, the house can go up—symbolizing family life, comfort, and personal dreams.
• “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established” (Proverbs 24:3-4).
•Psalm 127:1 warns that without the Lord’s blessing, builders labor in vain; put Him at the center.
• Providing for one’s household is a biblical responsibility (1 Timothy 5:8).
Practical steps include:
– Establishing a godly home atmosphere grounded in Scripture
– Setting aside emergency funds to protect the family
– Investing time and love in spouse and children, not just bricks and mortar
summaryProverbs 24:27 lays out a simple yet profound sequence: work hard, prepare well, then enjoy the results. Diligent labor supplies resources, thoughtful planning multiplies them, patient order keeps life stable, and only then is it wise to build the home. Follow this pattern and you’ll find your labors blessed, your plans fruitful, and your household secure under the Lord’s faithful care.
(27)
Prepare thy work without. . .--Method in work is here advised; first till the ground, and then build the house which will be maintained by the produce of the field. In the spiritual life, too, we should seek to "perceive and know what things we ought to do," if we are not to waste time and energy upon unsuitable and unattainable objects.
Verse 27. -
Prepare thy work without. The proverb enjoins a man to look well to his resources before he undertakes to build a house or to establish a family. "Without" (
chuts) (
Proverbs 7:12;
Proverbs 8:26); in the fields. Put in due order all immediate work in thy farm.
And make it fit for thyself in the field; and get ready for what has to come next. That is, in short, steadily and with due foresight cultivate your land; provide abundant means of subsistence before you attempt to build up your house. A suitor had, as it were, to purchase his bride from her relations by making considerable presents; it was therefore necessary to provide a certain amount of wealth before contemplating matrimony.
And afterwards build thy house. This is, indeed, the meaning of the passage; but the Hebrew makes a difficulty, as it is literally, "afterwards and thou shalt build." Some have supposed that some words have dropped out of the text (Cheyne, 'Job and Solomon'). But
vav in
וּבָנִיתָ, coming after a date or notification of time, as here after
אַהַר (comp.
Genesis 3:5), "has the future signification of a perfect consecutive" (Delitzsch), equivalent to "after that, then, thou mayest build." Septuagint, "Prepare thy works for thy going forth (
εἰς τη,ν ἔξοδον), and get ready for the field, and come after me, and thou shalt build up thine house." In a spiritual sense, the heart must be first cleared of thorns, and opened to genial influences, before the man can build up the fabric of virtuous habits, and thus arrive at the virtuous character.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Completeהָ֘כֵ֤ן(hā·ḵên)Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3559:To be erectyour outdoorבַּח֨וּץ ׀(ba·ḥūṣ)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2351:Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoorswork,מְלַאכְתֶּ֗ךָ(mə·laḵ·te·ḵā)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4399:Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, propertyand prepareוְעַתְּדָ֣הּ(wə·‘at·tə·ḏāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6257:To be readyyour field;בַּשָּׂדֶ֣ה(baś·śā·ḏeh)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704:Field, landafter that,אַ֝חַ֗ר(’a·ḥar)Adverb
Strong's 310:The hind or following partyou can buildוּבָנִ֥יתָ(ū·ḇā·nî·ṯā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1129:To buildyour house.בֵיתֶֽךָ׃(ḇê·ṯe·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1004:A house
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 24:27 Prepare your work outside and get your (Prov. Pro Pr) 
