As a bird that wandereth— He who quits his country, his dwelling, his house, is as a bird which quits its nest. He is exposed to a thousand dangers and difficulties. The Jews were very much attached to their country, and had no fondness for travelling. They were detained within their own country, first, by the motive of their religion, the perfect exercise whereof was confined to Palestine; secondly, by the danger of idolatry, which had then overspread the world; and lastly, by the goodness of their land, which was one of the best in the universe. It was not till after the miseries which befel their nation under Nebuchadnezzar, Salmanassar, and afterwards under the Romans, that we see them forced to disperse themselves through all parts of the world. Some apply this passage to those who quit their condition and calling, and by their inconstancy give themselves up to the snares of the devil, who takes them as the fowler takes young birds who have forsaken their nests before the time. The LXX read like as a bird is taken, when it leaves its nest; so is man reduced to servitude when he quits his habitation. See the parable of the prodigal, Luke 15. Calmet.
Related Commentaries of Proverbs 27:8
Proverbs 27:8
8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.