Proverbs 27:2

“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth, etc.] Men should do those things which are praiseworthy; and should do them openly, that they may be seen and praised for them: for it is honourable to have such a character as Demetrius had, who had a good report of all men; and as the brother had, whose praise in the Gospel was in all the churches. To be commended by others, by any but a man’s self, is to his credit and reputation; but nothing more hurtful to it than self-commendation; (see <471018> 2 Corinthians 10:18); in some cases it is right for a man indeed to commend himself, when the glory of God, the credit of religion, the cause of truth and self-vindication, require it; as…”

“Avoid self-praise.”

“Another - An “alienus” rather than “alius.” Praise to be worth anything must be altogether independent. return to 'Top of Page'”

“27:2 The Hebrew word translated praise comes from the same root as “brag” in 27:1. Bragging (self-praise) is foolish.”

“Pro 25:27; Co2 10:12, Co2 10:18, Co2 12:11 Proverbs 27:3”

“2 Let another praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips. The negative לא is with פיך, as in (Arab.) ghyra fyk, bound into one compact idea: that which is not thine own mouth (Fleischer), "not thine own lips," on the other hand, is not to be interpreted as corresponding to it, like אל־מות, Pro 12:28; since after the prohibitive אל, יהללוּך \[praise thee\] easily supplies itself. זר is properly the stranger, as having come from a distance, and נכרי he who comes from an unknown country, and is himself unknown (vid., under Pro 26:24); the idea of both words, however, passes from advena and alienigena to alius. There is certainly in rare cases a praising of oneself,…”