Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. | New International Version (NIV) | Download The Bible App Now (2024)

FAQs

What does perfume and incense bring joy to the heart mean? ›

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God's presence.

The Hebrew phrases used here could be taken to compare a friend's advice to one's own opinion. Or this might suggest simply that loving guidance is pleasant and valuable. Some interpretations imply that what makes a friendship pleasant is the "heartfelt advice" (NIV) it brings.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Never abandon a friend— either yours or your father's. When disaster strikes, you won't have to ask your brother for assistance. It's better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.

Perfume is often associated with the divine and can symbolize a connection with the divine or a spiritual awakening. Anointing yourself with perfume can signify a desire for self-improvement, healing, and spiritual growth. It can also be a sign of joy and abundance in your life.

Therefore, giving perfume as a gift was a tradition that indicated great respect, affection and honour. Over time, as perfumery techniques advanced, fragrances became more accessible and started to hold a significant place in personal grooming and societal rituals. Today, perfume gift sets remain extremely popular.

Arrogance of any kind is risky. Solomon notes how difficult it is to endure attacks from foolish, persistent people. In contrast, genuine love is shown by speaking the truth (Proverbs 27:1–6). Further wisdom explains the value of close friends, who can be even more helpful than blood relatives in a time of crisis.

John 15:12-13. "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

[9] Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. [10] Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

When it comes to how women adorn themselves, there are few verses about makeup or cosmetics. The passages we do find are warnings and words of wisdom to remind us God doesn't care about our outward appearance but what is within our hearts.

How do you guard your heart according to Proverbs? ›

Guarding your heart includes seeking God, but we cannot ignore the instruction to minimize the trash from our lives. The verses that follow the command to guard our heart describe putting away perverse speech, looking straight ahead, and choosing good paths.

The ancient psalmist said it this way, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9). By meditating upon His Word, you can know what God loves and what God hates. Keeping God's word means that you know it, think about it, and obey it.

9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. 9 The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

​The Gift of Counsel is also known as a Gift of Right Judgment. Counsel, the third gift of the Holy Spirit, is the perfection of the cardinal virtue of prudence. Prudence can be practiced by anyone, but counsel is supernatural.

Proverbs 27:6 in Other Translations

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. 6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

When you read the note 'incense' in a fragrance, if often means 'frankincense'. (Which we've filed under 'F'.) But because of the huge range of incense-like aromas, 'incense' can mean a woody smell, a floral note, hints of spice or resin.

Many times in the bible, it talks about perfumes, incense and smoke depicting the anointing of God in the moment.

HEART NOTES. As the name suggests, Heart notes or middle notes form the heart of your perfume, and the rich body of the olfactory built up. These perfume notes are the main character of a perfume, the scent you smell after the perfume has settled on your skin after a few hours of wear.