A faithful messenger refreshes those who sent him like cold snow in the heat of harvest.
The faithful messenger is honored in Proverbs 25:13: Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters (v. 13). Refreshment is the point.
Harvest in Israel was hot, dusty, exhausting. The image of cold of snow in the time of harvest names the most welcome possible relief: cool when one needs cool, refreshing when one is spent. Whether literal snow brought down from cooler heights or simply the cool of a frosty drink is debated, but the effect is the same.
A faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters. The masters who sent the messenger have been waiting and are uncertain. The faithful messenger arrives, delivers his account accurately, and the waiting ends. The masters are refreshed because the man came back as promised, having done what he was sent to do. This can be compared to Proverbs 13:17. Faithfulness in the simple task of carrying a message is a valuable gift.
Set to dark mode
Proverbs 25:13 meaning
The faithful messenger is honored in Proverbs 25:13: Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters (v. 13). Refreshment is the point.
Harvest in Israel was hot, dusty, exhausting. The image of cold of snow in the time of harvest names the most welcome possible relief: cool when one needs cool, refreshing when one is spent. Whether literal snow brought down from cooler heights or simply the cool of a frosty drink is debated, but the effect is the same.
A faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters. The masters who sent the messenger have been waiting and are uncertain. The faithful messenger arrives, delivers his account accurately, and the waiting ends. The masters are refreshed because the man came back as promised, having done what he was sent to do. This can be compared to Proverbs 13:17. Faithfulness in the simple task of carrying a message is a valuable gift.