The Meaning of Proverbs 3:27 Explained

Proverbs 3:27

KJV: Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

YLT: Withhold not good from its owners, When thy hand is toward God to do it.

Darby: Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

ASV: Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Withhold  not good  from them to whom it is due,  when it is in the power  of thine hand  to do  [it]. 

What does Proverbs 3:27 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 3:27-35 - The Counsels Of Experience.
Here are many duties! Be generous! Of course we must discriminate-to whom it is due; and we must be prudent-when it is in the power of thine hand, Proverbs 3:27. Moreover, be prompt, Proverbs 3:28. Don't stir up strife or take a mean advantage, Proverbs 3:29-30. In the presence of the prosperity of the violent and evil man, repress envy and recall Psalms 37:1-40.
The word translated secret in Proverbs 3:32 should be rendered "friendship." See Psalms 25:14. Remember that Jesus calls us into this sacred inner circle, John 15:15. Count on God blessing your home-life, Proverbs 3:33. Be lowly and claim your great inheritance, Proverbs 3:34-35. See Matthew 5:3.
We are next admitted into an ancient Hebrew home, Proverbs 4:1-9. We can hear the old patriarch advising his son, with deep and fond anxiety, that he should make the best of his life. What a difference would come over the land if fathers spoke more often like this! But to speak thus needs a background of noble living. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 3

1  various exhortations
13  The gain of wisdom
27  Exhortation to goodness
33  the different state of the wicked and upright

What do the individual words in Proverbs 3:27 mean?

Not do withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in the power - your hand to do [so]
אַל־ תִּמְנַע־ ט֥וֹב מִבְּעָלָ֑יו בִּהְי֨וֹת לְאֵ֖ל [ידיך] (יָדְךָ֣) לַעֲשֽׂוֹת

תִּמְנַע־  do  withhold 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: מָנַע  
Sense: to withhold, hold back, keep back, refrain, deny, keep restrain, hinder.
ט֥וֹב  good 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
מִבְּעָלָ֑יו  from  those  to  whom  it  is  due 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּעַל 
Sense: owner, husband, lord.
בִּהְי֨וֹת  when  it  is 
Parse: Preposition, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
לְאֵ֖ל  in  the  power 
Parse: Noun, fdc, second person masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
[ידיך]  - 
Parse: Preposition, Noun, masculine singular construct
(יָדְךָ֣)  your  hand 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
לַעֲשֽׂוֹת  to  do  [so] 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.