English Standard Version
Proverbs 21:20
20Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
Context of Proverbs 21:20
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. 19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. 21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
Read all of Proverbs 21Proverbs 21:20 word by word
אוֹצָ֤ר׀ נֶחְמָ֣ד וָ֭שֶׁמֶן בִּנְוֵ֣ה חָכָ֑ם וּכְסִ֖יל אָדָ֣ם יְבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 21:20
- Proverbs 10:22The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
- Proverbs 15:6In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
- Psalms 112:3Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
- Ecclesiastes 5:19Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.
- Ecclesiastes 7:11Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 10:19Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.
- Matthew 6:19"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
- Luke 6:45The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
- Psalms 23:5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
- Jeremiah 41:8But there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, "Do not put us to death, for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in the fields." So he refrained and did not put them to death with their companions.
- Matthew 25:3For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
- Luke 15:14And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
- Luke 16:1He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries