Proverbs 21:22

Proverbs 21:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
• 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.

Context of Proverbs 21:22

20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. 21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. 23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. 24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

Proverbs 21:22 word by word

עִ֣יר גִּ֭בֹּרִים עָלָ֣ה חָכָ֑ם וַ֝יֹּ֗רֶד עֹ֣ז מִבְטֶחָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• 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 20:16But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, “Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you.”
• Ecclesiastes 7:19One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town!
• Ecclesiastes 9:13Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have watched the way our world works.

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