Proverbs 21:22

Proverbs 21:22 in other versions

• New International Version (NIV)One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.
• New Living Translation (NLT)The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

Context of Proverbs 21:22

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. 21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. 23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Proverbs 21:22 word by word

עִ֣יר גִּ֭בֹּרִים עָלָ֣ה חָכָ֑ם וַ֝יֹּ֗רֶד עֹ֣ז מִבְטֶחָֽה׃Read the interlinear

• A wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• scalethעָלָה‛âlâh · to ascend: riseH5927
• the cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
• of the mightyגִּבּוֹרgibbôr gibbôr · mighty manH1368
• and casteth downיָרַדyârad · to go downH3381
• the strengthעֹז‛ôz ‛ôz · strengthH5797
• of the confidenceמִבְטָחmibţâch · confidenceH4009

Cross-references for Proverbs 21:22

• 2 Samuel 20:16Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
• Ecclesiastes 7:19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
• Ecclesiastes 9:13This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:

Commentaries on Proverbs 21:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty - Wisdom is in many respects preferable to strength, even in the case of defense. See what skill does in the fortification and reduction of strong places.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22Even in war, counsel does more than brute strength. So of the warfare which is carried on in the inner battlefield of the soul. There also wisdom is mighty to the “pulling down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4, where Paul uses the very words of the Septuagint Version of this passage), and the wise man scales and keeps the city which the strong man armed has seized and made his own.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22Verse 22 Those that have wisdom, often do great things, even against those confident of their strength.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22A smart military planner can find ways to beat stronger armies. This shows that wisdom is better than just strength (compare Ecclesiastes 7:12; 9:13–18).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. "Wisdom is better than strength" (Ec 7:19; 9:15). strength ... thereof--that in which they confide.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 21:22

• War
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Wise, Man
• Mind
• Ponder
• Toss
• Confidence
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Siege

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