New King James Version
Proverbs 25:21
21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
Proverbs 25:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
- New International Version (NIV)If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
- English Standard Version (ESV)If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
- New Living Translation (NLT)If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
Context of Proverbs 25:21
19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. 20Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you. 23The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
Read all of Proverbs 25Proverbs 25:21 word by word
אִם־רָעֵ֣ב שֹׂ֭נַאֲךָ הַאֲכִלֵ֣הוּ לָ֑חֶם וְאִם־צָ֝מֵ֗א הַשְׁקֵ֥הוּ מָֽיִם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 25:21
- Proverbs 24:17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
- Exodus 23:4“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.
- Matthew 5:44But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
- Luke 10:33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
- Romans 12:20Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Commentaries on Proverbs 25:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21If thine enemy be hungry - See this and the next verse explained, Romans 12:20; (note).Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21A precept reproduced by Paul Romans 12:20; the second clause of which seems at first sight to suggest a motive incompatible with a true charity. Leviticus 16:12 suggests an explanation. The high priest on the Day of Atonement was to take his censer, to fill it with “coals of fire,” and then to put the incense thereon for a sweet-smelling savor. So it is here. The first emotion in another caused by the good done to him may be one of burning shame, but the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-22Verses 21-22 The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-22Surprisingly, showing kindness to an enemy works better than showing anger (see Romans 12:20).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 21-2221-22. (Compare Mt 5:44; Ro 12:20). As metals are melted by heaping coals upon them, so is the heart softened by kindness.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 25:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 25
- 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries