Proverbs 27:16
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Whoever hides her hides the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which denudes itself.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Whoever hides her hides the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which denudes itself.
American Standard Version (ASV)
He that would restrain her restraineth the wind; And his right hand encountereth oil.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
He who keeps secret the secret of his friend, will get himself a name for good faith.
Webster's Revision
Whoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand which bewrayeth itself.
World English Bible
restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
English Revised Version (ERV)
He that would restrain her restraineth the wind, and his right hand encountereth oil.
Clarke's Proverbs 27:16 Bible Commentary
Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind - You may as well attempt to repress the blowing of the wind, as the tongue of a scold; and to conceal this unfortunate propensity of a wife is as impossible as to hush the storm, and prevent its sound from being heard.
The ointment of his right hand - You can no more conceal such a woman's conduct, than you can the smell of the aromatic oil with which your hand has been anointed. The Hebrew is very obscure, and is variously translated. Coverdale thus: "He that refrayneth her, refrayneth the wynde; and holdith oyle fast in his honde." That is, he attempts to do what is impossible to be done.
Barnes's Proverbs 27:16 Bible Commentary
The point is the impossibility of concealment or restraint. A person cannot hide the wind, or clasp it in his hands. If he takes an unguent in his right hand, the odor betrays him, or it slips out. So, in like manner, the "contentious woman" is one whose faults it is impossible either to hide or check. The difficulty of the proverb led to a different reading, adopted by the versions, "The north wind is rough, and yet it is called propitious"; it clears off the clouds and brings fine weather.
Wesley's Proverbs 27:16 Bible Commentary
27:16 Hideth - Attempts to smother her passion. Right - hand - Which being the great instrument of action, by its much stirring, diffuses the savour of it.