Proverbs 27:16
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Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.
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There is a woman in this proverb, indicated by the feminine pronoun "her." You do not want to meet her - and you especially do not want to marry her! She is the contentious woman from the previous verse that cruelly drives her husband stark crazy (27:15). The poor man cannot disguise or restrain her any more than he can hide the wind or the strong scent of his cologne. Everyone knows he is condemned for life with an odious woman.
The Creator God inspired Solomon to write this proverb. He made the woman for the man, and He knew her better than all psychologists and therapists combined (I Cor 11:9; I Tim 2:13-14; II Tim 3:6-7; I Pet 3:7). Since Solomon wrote for the benefit of his son (27:11), he warned often of the seductive threat of the strange woman and of the marital threat of the odious woman. Both women are worse than death (30:21-23; Eccl 7:26).
What is a contentious woman? She is a talkative woman that must express her opinions, correct minor details in conversation, question everything, and make constant suggestions that no one asked for. She is an irritating, quarrelsome, and obnoxious person. She cannot think, speak, or act graciously, because she cannot even identify or appreciate the virtue; she has an arrogant, haughty, incorrigible spirit that must argue, criticize, and question.
How does this woman give herself away? Her husband is beat. He is neutered, for this wretch stole his confidence, strength, and vitality. She talks much, so you only need listen for the woman with her mouth flapping. If she is not a yacker, just look for the sour face that smiles only annually. She will not have real friends, for no one desires her unbearable presence. Her social interaction is mainly the evil habit of being a busybody.
No man wants others to know he lives in a marital hell, so he tries to hide the odious and repulsive character of his wife. This is what Solomon said was as difficult as holding the wind or the scent of cologne in your hand. Both will get away from you! Both will be discovered by those around you! It is impossible to disguise or hide the hairy, grunting, and stinking pig when trying to display the gold ring in its nose (11:22)!
Men use various techniques to hide their disgraceful wives. One man tries to hide his contentious wife by avoiding public excursions with her. He works late, finds hobbies, or just refuses to go out. Another may foolishly try to deceive his friends by complimenting her to them (though they all know better). One man will weakly submit to her overbearing demands and questions to avoid a public squabble. And another will pamper her greedy soul with anything in sight to buy a little peace and tranquility for himself.
Such women do not deserve husbands, and no man deserves such a wife. Since this despicable creature can disguise herself during dating, it is every man's duty to learn how to spot the telltale marks that reveal her cruel character (30:21-23). They are simple. She talks a lot, has a haughty spirit, is forward to speak, has opinions on everything, disagrees in public, gets visibly agitated, complains about circumstances, and questions everything.
Some men are male versions of the same thing. They talk too much, complain about everything, argue and debate no matter what is said, question accepted opinions and decisions, and so forth. These men should be avoided in all social unions as much as the odious woman should be avoided in marriage. Contentious persons that cause division and strife should be rejected, for they are destructive of peace and pleasure (22:10).
There are several lessons. First, every young man must prove his marital prospects and listen closely to the opinions of married men about them. Second, every young woman should emphasize graciousness above any other pursuit in her life. Third, every man married to a contentious woman needs to find an attic room or wilderness retreat (21:9,19; 25:24). Fourth, every woman tending toward the odious character described here should repent before God, her husband, and her children and seek to live graciously.
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