Proverbs 27:15,16 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

A continual dropping, &c., and a contentious woman are alike Are equally troublesome; the first not suffering a man to go abroad with comfort; the latter not permitting him to stay at home with quietness. Whosoever hideth her That is, attempts to smother her passion, that it may not break forth to her shame, and to her husband's discomfort and reproach; hideth the wind Undertakes that which is impossible; and the ointment of his right hand Which, being the great instrument of action, by its much stirring diffuseth the savour of it. Houbigant renders it, He who will confine her at home may confine the wind, for whatsoever he shall seal with his hand, that is, whatsoever her husband would wish to keep secret, she will bewray or divulge. The Hebrew is very obscure, but the meaning of the verse evidently is, “To attempt to keep such a woman in the house, is to attempt to restrain the wind: and as one cannot touch perfumed oil with the hand but the odour will discover itself, so is it fruitless to endeavour to conceal the bad qualities of a quarrelsome woman; in spite of all endeavours she will discover herself.”