Proverbs 21:20 kjv

There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Proverbs 21:20 nkjv

There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

Proverbs 21:20 niv

The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

Proverbs 21:20 esv

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

Proverbs 21:20 nlt

The wise have wealth and luxury,
but fools spend whatever they get.

Proverbs 21 verses

Proverbs 21 20 Meaning

Precious resources, symbolized by "treasure" and "oil," are prudently gathered and maintained within the dwelling of a wise person. This illustrates foresight, disciplined stewardship, and long-term planning. Conversely, a foolish individual mindlessly wastes and squanders valuable assets, lacking the discipline or understanding to preserve them, leading to ruin. The proverb highlights the stark contrast between responsible accumulation and reckless consumption driven by character.

Proverbs 21 20 Context

Proverbs chapter 21 frequently contrasts the path of the wise and the path of the foolish, often illustrating their distinct outcomes in various aspects of life, including finances, integrity, and righteousness. This specific verse, Proverbs 21:20, continues this theme by focusing on resource management and financial prudence. Historically, in ancient Israelite society, storing provisions like grain and oil was crucial for survival and prosperity, especially given unpredictable harvests and the absence of modern banking or refrigeration. A full storeroom ("dwelling") signified security, blessing, and foresight. This proverb directly addresses the cultural reality of their economic dependence on agricultural output, highlighting that true wisdom translates into practical, sustainable living, while folly leads to wasteful dissipation. It underscores that personal character, particularly one's adherence to God's wisdom, directly impacts their material well-being and stability.

Proverbs 21 20 Word analysis

• אוֹצָר ('otsar) / Treasure: Signifies something highly valued, stored up, or kept in a secure place. It points to accumulated wealth, valuable provisions, or precious goods. In ancient cultures, this could include grain, wine, precious metals, and fine linens, crucial for security and status. Biblically, "treasure" can also denote spiritual wealth, wisdom, or God's statutes.
• נֶחְמָד (neḥmad) / Desirable/Precious: An adjective emphasizing the intrinsic value and pleasantness of the treasure. It highlights not just quantity but quality and significance. It means something coveted or longed for, suggesting worth beyond mere accumulation, implying a careful choice in what is gathered.
• וָשֶׁמֶן (vašemen) / And oil: Essential for life in ancient Israel. Used for food, fuel (lamps), anointing (religious and cosmetic), and medicinal purposes. Symbolically, oil represents abundance, anointing for a task, the Holy Spirit, health, and joy. Its inclusion emphasizes practical necessities and sustenance, beyond mere luxury.
• בִּנְוֵה (binveh) / In the dwelling of: "Nawêh" refers to a home, habitation, or pasture, implying stability and rootedness. This phrase indicates that these resources are kept securely within the private space, accessible yet protected. It signifies proper internal management and care of one's household and possessions.
• חָכָם (ḥakhām) / Wise man: One who possesses "chokmah," not just intellectual knowledge but practical wisdom for living righteously, making sound decisions, and understanding divine order. The wise man exhibits foresight, discipline, and stewardship in all areas, including resource management. This wisdom is often rooted in the fear of the LORD.
• וּכְסִיל (ukěsil) / But a foolish man: "Kesil" describes a stubborn, thick-headed fool who despises instruction and ignores divine truth. This person acts impulsively, without thought for consequences, driven by immediate gratification rather than long-term well-being or righteous principles. Their actions are self-destructive.
• יְבַלְּעֶנּוּ (yĕvalʿenû) / Devours it/swallows it up: From "bala'," to swallow, consume, destroy, engulf. This vivid verb portrays rapid, reckless, and complete destruction or squandering of resources. It implies eating up, absorbing, or eliminating assets without thought of replenishment or future need, a consequence of unchecked desire and poor judgment.

• Words-Group Analysis:
• "Precious treasure and oil": This phrase combines symbols of long-term accumulated wealth ("treasure") with daily essential sustenance and comfort ("oil"). It covers both savings/investments and ongoing provision, highlighting that a wise person manages both capital and income prudently.
• "In a wise man's dwelling": Emphasizes that wisdom brings order, security, and sustained provision to one's personal life and household. The resources are not merely acquired but preserved within a stable and well-managed environment, indicating disciplined self-control and foresight.
• "But a foolish man devours it": Creates a stark antithetical parallel. The "devouring" action highlights the destructive, consuming nature of folly. The fool rapidly expends all resources without restraint, demonstrating an utter lack of foresight, responsibility, or understanding of value and sustainability.

Proverbs 21 20 Bonus section

• Antithetical Parallelism: This proverb exemplifies the common Hebrew poetic device of antithetical parallelism, where the second line contrasts sharply with the first, clarifying the meaning of both. The prudent nature of the wise is illuminated by the wasteful nature of the fool.
• The Continuous Action of "Devouring": The Hebrew verb "yĕbalʿenû" (devours) is imperfect, suggesting a continuous or repeated action. It's not a one-time event but a characteristic behavior of the fool, continually wasting what they possess until nothing remains.
• Broader Interpretation of "Treasure and Oil": While materially valuable, "treasure" can also represent wisdom itself, and "oil" spiritual anointing or joy. A wise person stores up God's wisdom in their heart (Prov 2:1-5) and nurtures their spiritual walk, while the fool squanders these invaluable, life-giving truths.

Proverbs 21 20 Commentary

Proverbs 21:20 presents a classic proverbial contrast: the responsible stewardship of the wise versus the reckless consumption of the fool. The wise person, guided by sound judgment and an understanding of consequences, not only acquires but meticulously preserves valuable assets, symbolized by "precious treasure and oil." These represent both long-term financial security (savings, investments, significant possessions) and daily sustenance (essential provisions, ongoing income). Their dwelling reflects stability, foresight, and a disciplined approach to resources, knowing that prudence secures the future.

In stark opposition, the foolish man acts without restraint or thought for tomorrow. He "devours" what he has, consuming it rapidly and without reservation, leading to impoverishment. This "devouring" isn't merely consumption but destructive squandering, emptying reserves and destroying future potential. This behavior stems from an inner character defect: impulsiveness, immediate gratification, disregard for wisdom, and a lack of self-control. The proverb illustrates that true wisdom extends to practical economic behavior, establishing security and abundance, while folly leads inevitably to ruin and want. This principle applies not only to material wealth but also to time, talents, relationships, and even spiritual opportunities, all of which the wise steward and the fool squanders.