Proverbs 20:17

Proverbs 20:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
• New International Version (NIV)Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.

Context of Proverbs 20:17

15There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing. 16Take his garment when he becomes surety for a stranger; And for foreigners, hold him in pledge. Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. 18Prepare plans by consultation, And make war by wise guidance. 19He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

Proverbs 20:17 word by word

עָרֵ֣ב לָ֭אִישׁ לֶ֣חֶם שָׁ֑קֶר וְ֝אַחַ֗ר יִמָּֽלֵא־פִ֥יהוּ חָצָֽץ׃Read the interlinear

• Breadלֶ֫חֶםlechem · food: breadH3899
• obtained by falsehoodשֶׁ֫קֶרsheqer · deceptionH8267
• is sweetעָרֵב‛ârêb · sweetH6156
• to a manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• But afterwardאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• his mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• will be filledמָלֵאmâlê' mâlâ' · to fillH4390
• with gravelחָצָץchâtsâts · gravelH2687

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Bread of deceit is sweet - Property acquired by falsehood, speculation, etc., without labor, is pleasant to the unprincipled, slothful man; but there is a curse in it, and the issue will prove it.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17“To eat gravel” was a Hebrew Lamentations 3:16, and is an Arabic, phrase for getting into trouble. So “bread,” got by deceit, tastes sweet at first, but ends by leaving the hunger of the soul unsatisfied. There is a pleasure in the sense of cleverness felt after a hard bargain or a successful fraud, which must be met by bidding men look on the after consequences.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17Verse 17 Wealth gotten by fraud may be sweet, for the carnal mind takes pleasure in the success of wicked devices; but it will be bitter in the reflection.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. Bread ... sweet--either as unlawfully (Pr 9:17) or easily obtained. mouth ... gravel--well expresses the pain and grief given at last.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:17

• Deceit
• Dishonesty
• Falsehood
• Gravel

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Deceit

Commentaries on Proverbs 20

• 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