Proverbs 27:16 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself. 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.

Proverbs 27:16

16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.