Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.## Introduction - In Plain Language: Don’t brag about what you’ll do tomorrow — you can’t be sure what tomorrow will bring. - Big idea: The future is uncertain, so boasting about it is prideful; plan with humility and awareness of limits. - Key points: - The verse warns against presuming on the future and boasting as if the outcome is guaranteed. - It highlights human limitation: we don’t control or fully know what each new day will bring. - The right response is humble planning and dependence, not self-exaltation. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Proverbs is Hebrew wisdom literature packed with short, pithy sayings about how to live well. Proverbs 27 collects practical observations about relationships, reputation, and living wisely. Verse 1 opens a paragraph about humility and proper speech. - Story timeline: Proverbs was compiled over many centuries in ancient Israel (roughly 10th–4th centuries BC). The audience is everyday people seeking wisdom — workers, leaders, families. The “speaker” is the proverbial wisdom voice (often King Solomon’s tradition) addressing common sense and moral behavior. - Surrounding passage: - The verse immediately after (Prov. 27:2) says, “Let another praise thee, and not thine own mouth,” reinforcing the warning against self-praise. - Later lines in the chapter contrast wisdom and folly, speak about friendship and reputation, and emphasize prudence. So Prov. 27:1 stands as an introduction to warnings about prideful words and attitudes. ## Explanation - Quick take: Don’t boast about what you’ll do tomorrow — the future is unpredictable, and speaking as if you control it is prideful and foolish. - In Depth: - Literal sense: The verb translated “boast” can mean to praise oneself or speak proudly. Saying “I’ll do X tomorrow” as if it’s guaranteed is precisely the kind of proud talk the proverb warns against. - Why it matters: The proverb isn’t condemning planning or making commitments. Instead it targets arrogant certainty — treating the future as already owned by you. The Bible elsewhere encourages wise planning, but this verse insists that plans be held humbly, recognizing our limited control. - Literary image: “What a day may bring forth” uses language like “bring forth” or “give birth” — a vivid reminder that outcomes can be surprising, even life-giving or disruptive in ways we don’t expect. - Biblical connections: New Testament writers pick up the same theme (James 4:13–16 strongly echoes this warning), and Jesus teaches about dependence rather than presumption (see Matthew 6:34). Proverbs 27:1 is a short, sharp summary of humility toward the future. ## Key Words - תְּהַלֵּל (tehalel) — “to boast or praise” (here: boasting about oneself/plans). - מָחָר (machar) — “tomorrow” or the near future. - יָדַע (yada) — “to know” (here: you do not know). - יָלַד (yalad) / יוליד (yolid) — “to give birth, bring forth” (used metaphorically about what a day may produce). ## Background - Cultural/literary: In the ancient Near East, speaking confidently about the future could be seen as claiming control or demonstrating status. Wisdom literature prized restraint in speech and an awareness of human limits. Proverbs often balances practical advice (plan carefully) with moral cautions (don’t be arrogant). - Religious: Israelite thought stressed that ultimate control rests with God; human plans are real but contingent on God’s will. This proverb is a moral and spiritual corrective to boastfulness and presumption. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - God’s providence and human limitation: We plan, but the outcome is not entirely ours to guarantee. - Humility as spiritual practice: Words reveal the heart; cautious speech about the future is part of a humble life. - Responsible planning vs. presumption: Faith does not cancel planning; it informs it with dependence on God. ## Application To Your Life - For workers: Make plans, set goals, and work hard — but avoid acting as if success is solely your achievement. Speak and lead with humility; be ready to adapt when circumstances change. - For parents: Teach children to plan (homework, chores, goals) but model humility when plans fail and show how to respond constructively. - For leaders/business owners: Strategic thinking is necessary, but build contingency plans and communicate with honest humility — avoid absolute guarantees. - For seekers/new believers: This verse invites a posture of openness and trust rather than arrogant certainty; you can hope and prepare without pretending you control everything. - Reflection question(s): - When have you confidently promised something about the future and been surprised? What did that teach you? - How can you balance ambitious planning with healthy humility? - Short prayer: Lord, give me wisdom to plan well and humility to accept what I cannot control. Help me speak truthfully about the future and trust You with what I cannot predict. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” - NIV: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” - ESV: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” - NRSV: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” - NASB: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring about.” - Why differences matter: The translations are similar because the Hebrew is straightforward. Differences are mostly stylistic: “boast” vs “do not boast about” clarifies the verb’s target (the future). “Bring forth” (older language) evokes a birth image; “bring” or “bring about” is more neutral. These choices affect how vivid the uncertainty feels — “bring forth” emphasizes surprise and newness, while “bring about” highlights result or consequence. ## FAQs - Q: Does Proverbs 27:1 mean I shouldn’t make plans or set goals? A: No. The verse does not forbid planning. The Bible elsewhere values careful work and wise planning (see Proverbs 21:5). What Prov. 27:1 condemns is boasting — speaking or acting as if the future is already guaranteed to you. Healthy planning is intentional and humble; arrogant presumption treats plans as certainties and often ignores factors beyond one’s control (circumstance, other people, God’s providence). A practical rule: plan as if it depends on you, but pray and live as if everything depends on God. - Q: How is this different from telling people you’ll do something tomorrow? A: There’s a tone and attitude difference. Saying “I’ll try to finish this tomorrow” or “My plan is to do X” is normal and responsible. Boasting is a confident claim — “I will do X, no question” — spoken from a place of pride. The proverb warns against the latter. It’s about humility in speech and mindset, not about avoiding any commitment. ## Cross References - James 4:13–16 — Explicitly warns against boasting about tomorrow and calls for saying “If the Lord wills.” - Matthew 6:34 — Jesus: “Do not worry about tomorrow,” focusing on present trust. - Proverbs 16:9 — “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Plan humbly.) - Proverbs 19:21 — “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but the LORD’s purpose prevails.” - Ecclesiastes 11:4 — “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” (Balance planning and action.) ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most commentators read this as a moral admonition against presumption. Jewish tradition emphasizes humility of speech; Christian commentators often link the verse to James 4 and see it as a warning against sinfully self-assured plans. Modern readers are reminded to combine prudence with dependency: plan, but do so recognizing limits. - Group study bullets: - Discuss a time plans were upended — what did individuals learn about control and humility? - Role-play: craft two workplace statements about a future project — one boastful, one humble. Discuss different reactions. - Read James 4:13–16 and compare how it develops the same idea; talk about practical ways to add “If the Lord wills” mentality to planning. - Make a “humble planning” checklist: steps to plan responsibly while acknowledging uncertainty. ## Related verses (to compare and contrast — and why) - James 4:13–16 — Why: Direct New Testament echo; expands the proverb into moral teaching about boasting and God’s will. - Matthew 6:34 — Why: Focuses on anxiety about the future; complements Prov. 27:1 by encouraging present trust instead of fretting or presuming. - Proverbs 16:9 — Why: Balances human planning with divine guidance — shows the biblical pattern of planning plus humility. ## Talk to the Bible Try the “Talk To The Bible” feature to explore this verse interactively. Suggested prompts: - “Explain Proverbs 27:1 as advice for modern workplace planning, with three practical steps.” - “Compare Proverbs 27:1 and James 4:13–16: how do they speak to the same issue?” - “Write a one-week devotional (five short daily readings) based on Proverbs 27:1 for someone learning to plan with humility.”
