It is not good to eat too much honeyThis phrase uses honey as a metaphor for indulgence. In ancient Israel, honey was a symbol of abundance and pleasure, often associated with the Promised Land, described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (
Exodus 3:8). While honey is good and sweet, consuming it excessively can lead to discomfort or harm, illustrating the principle of moderation. This aligns with other biblical teachings on self-control and temperance, such as in
Proverbs 23:20-21, which warns against gluttony and drunkenness. The wisdom literature often emphasizes balance and the dangers of excess, reflecting a broader biblical theme that even good things can become harmful when not kept in check.
or to search out one’s own glory
This part of the verse warns against the pursuit of personal glory and self-promotion. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, honor and reputation were highly valued, but the Bible consistently teaches humility and the dangers of pride. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall," highlighting the peril of seeking one's own glory. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, with Jesus teaching in Matthew 23:12, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." This phrase also points to the example of Christ, who, though deserving of all glory, humbled Himself (Philippians 2:5-8). The pursuit of self-glory is contrasted with the biblical call to glorify God and serve others, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.
2.
Ancient IsraelThe cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.
3.
HoneyIn ancient times, honey was a symbol of abundance and pleasure. It was a natural sweetener and considered a delicacy.
4.
GloryIn the context of this proverb, glory refers to personal honor or reputation. The pursuit of one's own glory can lead to pride and self-centeredness.
Teaching Points
Moderation in DesiresJust as too much honey can be harmful, overindulgence in any desire can lead to negative consequences. Christians are called to practice self-control and moderation.
Humility over Self-GlorificationSeeking one's own glory can lead to pride, which is contrary to the humility that God desires. Believers should focus on glorifying God rather than themselves.
The Dangers of PridePride is often the root of seeking personal glory. It can lead to a fall, as pride goes before destruction. Christians should guard their hearts against pride.
Contentment in God's ProvisionInstead of seeking more for oneself, believers are encouraged to be content with what God provides and to trust in His timing and provision.
Reflecting Christ's CharacterJesus exemplified humility and selflessness. Christians are called to imitate Christ by serving others and seeking God's glory above their own.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 25:27?
2. How does Proverbs 25:27 warn against excessive self-promotion and pride?
3. What does "eating too much honey" symbolize in Proverbs 25:27?
4. How can we balance self-awareness with humility according to Proverbs 25:27?
5. Which other Proverbs verses caution against pride and self-exaltation?
6. How can we apply the lesson of Proverbs 25:27 in daily interactions?
7. What does Proverbs 25:27 mean by "eating too much honey" in a spiritual context?
8. How does Proverbs 25:27 relate to the concept of humility in Christian teachings?
9. Why is self-control emphasized in Proverbs 25:27, and how does it apply today?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 25?
11. When should you search and when should you give up?
12. Proverbs 25:16 - Does the portrayal of honey causing illness conflict with medical knowledge or cultural dietary practices of the time?
13. Proverbs 25:2 - Why would an all-knowing and benevolent God find glory in concealing information from humanity?
14. What does the Bible say about colonizing Mars?What Does Proverbs 25:27 Mean
The sweetness of honeyProverbs often uses honey as a picture of something God intends for enjoyment (Proverbs 24:13; Exodus 3:8). Honey is pleasant, nourishing, and perfectly legitimate. Scripture never condemns the sweetness itself—just as God “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
The warning against excess“It is not good to eat too much honey.” The same gift that delights can become harmful when taken beyond its proper bounds.
• Proverbs 25:16 echoes the caution: “If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it.”
• 1 Corinthians 6:12 reminds us that even lawful things must not “master” us.
• Philippians 3:19 shows how unchecked appetites can make the stomach an idol.
The point is self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Enjoy, but know when to stop.
The lure of self-glory“Or to search out one’s own glory.” Just as too much honey upsets the stomach, an appetite for self-promotion sickens the soul.
• Proverbs 27:2 counsels, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth.”
• Jeremiah 9:23-24 redirects boasting toward knowing the Lord.
• Luke 14:11 and James 4:6 show God exalting the humble and resisting the proud.
When we pursue applause, we crowd God out of the spotlight that belongs to Him alone (Isaiah 42:8).
Why humility is the better wayGod links pride with downfall (Proverbs 16:18). Humility, on the other hand, receives grace (1 Peter 5:5). Seeking His honor protects us from the emptiness of self-centered living and aligns us with Christ, who “made Himself nothing” (Philippians 2:5-8).
Practical takeaways• Enjoy God’s gifts—food, talents, recognition—without clinging to them.
• Set personal limits: whether portions on a plate or time in the limelight.
• Let others speak well of you; focus your words on exalting the Lord (Psalm 34:1-3).
• Regularly ask, “Am I hungry for honey—or for Him?” (Matthew 5:6).
summaryProverbs 25:27 pairs two appetites—sweet food and sweet praise—to teach a single lesson: God’s gifts are good, but excess and self-exaltation spoil them. Moderation with honey guards the body; humility about glory guards the heart. Live gratefully, restrain indulgence, and let the Lord be the One who receives—and distributes—honor.
(27)
So for men to search their own glory is not glory.--The sense of this passage is very doubtful. It may mean, "But to search into difficult matters is an honour." Self-indulgence and study are here contrasted.
Verse 27. -
It is not good to eat much honey. The ill effects of a surfeit of honey have been already mentioned (Ver. 16); but here the application is different, and occasions some difficulty. The Authorized Version, in order to clear up the obscurity of the text, inserts a negative,
So for men to search their own glory is not glory, which seems to be a warning against conceit and self-adulation. This is hardly warranted by the present Hebrew text, which is literally, as Venetian renders,
Ἔρευνά τε δόξας αὐτῶν δόξα, "The search of their glory [is] glory." But who are meant by "their"? No persons are mentioned in the verse to whom the suffix in
כְּבורָם can be referred, and it is not improbable that some words have dropped out of the text. At the same time, we might naturally in thought supply "for men" after "it is not good," such omissions being not uncommon in proverbial sayings; the suffix then would refer to them. Commentators have endeavoured to amend the text by alterations which do not commend themselves. Schultens supposes that the suffix had reference to the Divine law and revelations, and, as
כבד may mean both "glory" and "weight," translates, "Vestigatio gravitatis eorum, gravitas." Bertheau takes
kabod in two different senses, "The searching out of their glory is a burden." So Delitzsch, by little manipulation of the pointing (
כְּבֵרִם) obtains the rendering, "But to search out hard things is an honour." Taken thus, the maxim says that bodily pleasures sicken and cloy, but diligent study brings honour. This, however, is not satisfactory; it gives a word two different senses in the same clause, and it affords a very feeble contrast. One would naturally expect the proverb to say that the excess, which was deprecated in the first hemistich as regards one department, must be equally rejected in another sphere. This is somewhat the idea given by Jerome,
Sic qui scrutator est majestatis opprimetur a gloria. The truth here stated will be explained by translating our text, "The investigation of weighty matters is a weight." Thus the clauses are shown to be well poised. Honey is good, study is good; but both may be used so as to be prejudicial. Eating may be carried to excess; study may attempt to investigate things too hard or too high. That this is a real danger we know well from the controversies about predestination and elation in time past, and those concerning spiritualism and theurgy in our own day (see Jeremy Taylor, 'Certainty of Salvation,' 3:176, edit. Hebrews; and 'Holy Living,' ch. 3, § 5). This is the view taken of the passage by St. Gregory ('Moral,' 14:32), 'If the sweetness of honey be taken in greater measure than there is occasion for, from the same source whence the palate is gratified, the life of the eater is destroyed.' The "searching into majesty" is also sweet; but he that seeks to dive into it deeper than the cognizance of human nature admits, finds the mere gloriousness thereof by itself oppresses him, in that, like honey taken in excess, it bursts the sense of the searcher which is not capable of holding it." And again (ibid., 20:18), "For the glory of the invisible Creator, which when searched into with moderation lifts us up, being dived into beyond our powers bears us down" (Oxford transl.). (Comp.
Deuteronomy 29:29; Ecclus. 3:21, etc.) Septuagint, "To eat much honey is not good, but it behoves us to honor glorious sayings."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
It is notלֹא־ (lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, nogoodט֑וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, goodto eatאָ֘כֹ֤ל (’ā·ḵōl)Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 398: To eattoo muchהַרְבּ֣וֹת (har·bō·wṯ)Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or greathoneyדְּבַ֣שׁ (də·ḇaš)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1706: Honey, syrupor to search outוְחֵ֖קֶר (wə·ḥê·qer)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2714: A searching, a thing (to be) searched outone’s own glory.כְּבֹדָ֣ם (kə·ḇō·ḏām)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat much (Prov. Pro Pr) 
