Proverbs 27:15
New International Version
A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

New Living Translation
A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day.

English Standard Version
A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;

Berean Standard Bible
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—

King James Bible
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

New King James Version
A continual dripping on a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;

New American Standard Bible
A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike;

NASB 1995
A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike;

NASB 1977
A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike;

Legacy Standard Bible
A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious woman are alike;

Amplified Bible
A constant dripping on a day of steady rain And a contentious (quarrelsome) woman are alike;

Christian Standard Bible
An endless dripping on a rainy day and a nagging wife are alike;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
An endless dripping on a rainy day and a nagging wife are alike.

American Standard Version
A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike:

Contemporary English Version
The steady dripping of rain and the nagging of a wife are one and the same.

English Revised Version
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Constantly dripping water on a rainy day is like a quarreling woman.

Good News Translation
A nagging wife is like water going drip-drip-drip on a rainy day.

International Standard Version
A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike.

Majority Standard Bible
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike?

NET Bible
A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike.

New Heart English Bible
A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:

Webster's Bible Translation
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

World English Bible
A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A continual dropping in a day of rain, "" And a woman of contentions are alike,

Young's Literal Translation
A continual dropping in a day of rain, And a woman of contentions are alike,

Smith's Literal Translation
A dropping thrust forth in the day of rain and a woman of strifes were alike.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Roofs dropping through in a cold day, and a contentious woman are alike.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A roof leaking on a cold day, and an argumentative woman, are comparable.

New American Bible
For a persistent leak on a rainy day the match is a quarrelsome wife;

New Revised Standard Version
A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Like a continual dripping on a rainy day, so is a quarrelsome woman.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Like a dripping that drips abundantly on a day of heavy rain, so is a contentious woman.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
On a stormy day drops of rain drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman drive a man out of his own house.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do not Boast about Tomorrow
14If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse. 15A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike— 16restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.…

Cross References
Proverbs 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

Ecclesiastes 7:26
And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.

Genesis 2:18
The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Colossians 3:18-19
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

1 Corinthians 7:3-5
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. / The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. / Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.

1 Timothy 2:11-12
A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet.

Titus 2:4-5
In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, / to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

Matthew 5:31-32
It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Mark 10:6-9
However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ / ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, / and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ...

Luke 16:18
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.


Treasury of Scripture

A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

a continual

Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

Proverbs 21:9,19
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house…

Proverbs 25:24
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

Jump to Previous
Alike Bitter-Tongued Constant Contentions Contentious Continual Dripping Dropping Quarrelsome Rain Rainy Steady Unending Wife
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Alike Bitter-Tongued Constant Contentions Contentious Continual Dripping Dropping Quarrelsome Rain Rainy Steady Unending Wife
Proverbs 27
1. observations of self love
5. of true love
11. of care to avoid offenses
23. and of the household care














A constant dripping on a rainy day
This phrase evokes the imagery of a persistent and unrelenting annoyance. In the ancient Near East, homes were often constructed with flat roofs made of clay and straw, which could easily develop leaks during the rainy season. The constant dripping would not only be irritating but could also lead to structural damage if not addressed. This imagery is used to convey the idea of something that is persistently bothersome and difficult to ignore. The Bible often uses natural phenomena to illustrate spiritual truths, as seen in other scriptures like Proverbs 19:13, which also compares a quarrelsome wife to a continual dripping.

and a contentious woman are alike—
The comparison here is between the incessant dripping and a contentious woman, suggesting that both can create a disruptive and uncomfortable environment. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, harmony within the household was highly valued, and a contentious or quarrelsome person could disturb the peace and unity of the family. The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the theme of wisdom in relationships, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful and cooperative spirit. This verse serves as a warning against the destructive nature of constant strife and discord, which can erode relationships and lead to a breakdown in communication and trust. The New Testament also speaks to the importance of harmony and peace within relationships, as seen in passages like Ephesians 4:2-3, which encourages believers to maintain unity through humility and patience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical insights into human behavior and relationships.

2. Contentious Woman
This figure is symbolic rather than a specific person. In the context of Proverbs, she represents a person who is quarrelsome or argumentative, causing disruption and discomfort in relationships.

3. Rainy Day
A natural event used metaphorically to describe a situation that is persistent and potentially irritating, much like the constant dripping mentioned in the verse.
Teaching Points
The Impact of Strife
Just as a constant drip can erode stone over time, persistent contention can erode relationships. It's important to address and resolve conflicts before they become habitual.

The Value of Peace
Striving for peace in relationships is a biblical principle. We should seek to be peacemakers, fostering environments where love and understanding prevail.

Self-Reflection
Consider whether you might be contributing to contention in your relationships. Self-awareness and humility can lead to personal growth and improved interactions with others.

Communication Skills
Developing effective communication skills can help prevent misunderstandings and reduce contention. Listening actively and speaking with grace are key components.

Seeking Wisdom
As Solomon sought wisdom, we too should seek God's guidance in handling difficult relationships. Prayer and scripture study can provide insight and direction.(15) A continual dropping in a very rainy day.--See above on Proverbs 19:13.

Verse 15. - The single line of the second clause of Proverbs 19:13 is here formed into a distich. A continual dropping in a very rainy day. "A day of violent rain," סַגְרִיר (sagrir), which word occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament. And a contentious woman are alike. The word rendered "are alike" (נִשְׁתָּוָה) is usually taken to be the third perf. nithp. from שׁיה; but the best established reading, according to Hitzig, Delitzsch, and Nowack, is נִשְׁתָּוָה, which is regarded as a niph. with a transposition of consonants for נְשְׁוָתָה. Septuagint, "Drops of rain drive a man out of his house on a stormy day." The ill-constructed roofs of Eastern houses were very subject to leakage, being flat and formed of porous material.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A constant
ט֭וֹרֵד (ṭō·w·rêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2956: To pursue, chase, be continuous

dripping
דֶּ֣לֶף (de·lep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1812: A dripping

on a rainy
סַגְרִ֑יר (saḡ·rîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5464: Steady or persistent rain

day
בְּי֣וֹם (bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

and a contentious
מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים (miḏ·yā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4066: A contest, quarrel

woman
וְאֵ֥שֶׁת (wə·’ê·šeṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

are alike—
נִשְׁתָּוָֽה׃ (niš·tā·wāh)
Verb - Nithpael - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7737: To level, equalize, to resemble, to adjust


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 27:15 A continual dropping on a rainy day (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 27:14
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