Complete your outdoor work
This phrase emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks and setting a strong foundation before moving on to other endeavors. The Hebrew root for "complete" (כּוּן, kun) suggests establishing or preparing something firmly. In ancient agrarian societies, outdoor work, such as farming, was crucial for survival. This instruction reflects a principle of diligence and foresight, encouraging believers to ensure that their basic needs and responsibilities are met before pursuing additional projects. Spiritually, it can be seen as a call to establish one's life on the solid ground of faith and obedience to God.

and prepare your field
The word "prepare" (עָרַךְ, arak) in Hebrew conveys the idea of arranging or setting in order. Preparing the field was a necessary step to ensure a successful harvest. This preparation involves hard work, planning, and patience. Historically, fields had to be plowed, sown, and maintained, which required significant effort and attention. In a spiritual sense, this can be likened to preparing one's heart and life for God's work, ensuring that we are ready to receive His blessings and fulfill His purposes.

after that
This phrase indicates a sequence of actions, highlighting the importance of timing and order. It suggests that there is a proper time for everything, echoing the wisdom found in Ecclesiastes 3:1. In the context of this proverb, it underscores the necessity of completing foundational tasks before moving on to more personal or luxurious pursuits. This principle can be applied to spiritual growth, where foundational truths and disciplines must be established before deeper understanding and experiences can be pursued.

you can build your house
The act of building a house represents establishing a permanent and secure dwelling place. In ancient times, building a house was a significant undertaking that required resources, planning, and stability. The Hebrew word for "build" (בָּנָה, banah) also carries the connotation of establishing a family or legacy. This phrase suggests that once the essential work is done and the foundation is secure, one can focus on personal growth and development. Spiritually, it can be seen as a metaphor for building one's life on the teachings of Christ, ensuring that our spiritual "house" is built on the rock of His word and not on shifting sands.

1. Solomon
Traditionally 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 Israel
The cultural and historical context of this proverb is ancient Israel, where agriculture was a primary occupation, and the society was agrarian.

3. Agricultural Practices
The proverb references the common practice of prioritizing fieldwork and ensuring a stable food supply before focusing on building a home.Prioritize Wisely
The proverb teaches the importance of setting priorities. In life, certain tasks must be completed before others to ensure stability and success.

Plan for the Future
Just 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 Work
The verse encourages diligence and hard work. Completing outdoor work first ensures that basic needs are met, reflecting a disciplined approach to responsibilities.

Spiritual Preparation
Beyond 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 Life
The proverb suggests a balance between work and personal life. By prioritizing essential tasks, we can create a stable environment for personal and family growth.(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 ...


Complete
הָ֘כֵ֤ן (hā·ḵên)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

your outdoor
בַּח֨וּץ ׀ (ba·ḥūṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

work,
מְלַאכְתֶּ֗ךָ (mə·laḵ·te·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

and prepare
וְעַתְּדָ֣הּ (wə·‘at·tə·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6257: To be ready

your field;
בַּשָּׂדֶ֣ה (baś·śā·ḏeh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

after that,
אַ֝חַ֗ר (’a·ḥar)
Adverb
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

you can build
וּבָנִ֥יתָ (ū·ḇā·nî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

your 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)