Darby Bible
Proverbs 21:20
20There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
Proverbs 21:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
- New International Version (NIV)The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
- New King James Version (NKJV)There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
Context of Proverbs 21:20
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright. 19It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman. There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up. 21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 22A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Read all of Proverbs 21Proverbs 21:20 word by word
אוֹצָ֤ר׀ נֶחְמָ֣ד וָ֭שֶׁמֶן בִּנְוֵ֣ה חָכָ֑ם וּכְסִ֖יל אָדָ֣ם יְבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 21:20
- Proverbs 10:22The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow to it.
- Proverbs 15:6In the house of a righteous [man] is much treasure; but in the revenue of a wicked [man] is disturbance.
- Psalms 112:3Wealth and riches [shall be] in his house; and his righteousness abideth for ever.
- Ecclesiastes 5:19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and power to eat thereof, and to take his portion and to rejoice in his labour: that is a gift of God.
- Ecclesiastes 7:11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 10:19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh life merry; but money answereth everything.
- Matthew 6:19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust spoils, and where thieves dig through and steal;
- Luke 6:45The good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good; and the wicked [man] out of the wicked, brings forth what is wicked: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
- Psalms 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
- Jeremiah 41:8But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Do not kill us, for we have hidden stores in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbore, and did not kill them among their brethren.
- Matthew 25:3They that were foolish took their torches and did not take oil with them;
- Luke 15:14But when he had spent all there arose a violent famine throughout that country, and he began to be in want.
- Luke 16:1And he said also to [his] disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and he was accused to him as wasting his goods.
Commentaries on Proverbs 21:20
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Spendeth it up - literally, swalloweth it. The wise man keeps a store in reserve. He gains uprightly, spends moderately, never exhausts himself. But the proverb may have also a higher application. The wise man stores up all “treasure to be desired” of wisdom, all “oil” of divine influence, which strengthens and refreshes, and so is ready at all times for the work to which the Master calls him. Compare Matthew 25:1-13.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20Verse 20 The plenty obtained by prudence, industry, and frugality, is desirable. But the foolish misspend what they have upon their lusts.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20See also to Proverbs 3:9–10, 15–16; 10:15, 16, 22; 14:24.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. The wise, by diligence and care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools spend--literally, "swallow it up," greedily.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 21:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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