Proverbs 21:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:17

Here is an argument against a voluptuous luxurious life, taken from the ruin it brings upon men's temporal interests. Here is 1. The description of an epicure: He loves pleasure. God allows us to use the delights of sense soberly and temperately, wine to make glad the heart and put vigour into the spirits, and oil to make the face to shine and beautify the countenance; but he that loves these, that sets his heart upon them, covets them earnestly, is solicitous to have all the delights of sense... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:17

He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man ,.... Or "sport" F3 שמחה "laetitiam", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Cocceius, Schultens. and pastime, music and dancing, cards and dice, hunting and hawking, and other sensual gratifications; a man that indulges himself in these things, and spends his time and his money in such a way, is very likely to be a poor man, and generally is so in the issue; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 21:17

He that loveth pleasure - That follows gaming, fowling, hunting, coursing, etc., when he should be attending to the culture of the fields, shall be a poor man; and, I may safely add, shall be so deservedly poor, as to have none to pity him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:14-17

Lights and shades of the earthly scene I. THE POWER OF GIFTS . ( Proverbs 21:14 .) They are neither good nor evil in themselves, but may be employed for good or evil ends. Let us make a good use of this text. We learn that gifts should be quiet, unobtrusive, unobserved ; and the same is true of all acts of kindness which are real gilts from the heart. They should neither irritate pride nor depress independence. By such little attentions and marks at love, how much evil may... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:17

He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; qui diligit epulas, Vulgate; for feasts are chiefly, though not exclusively, intended. He shall become "a man of want" ( machesor ) as Proverbs 11:24 . He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. "Wine and oil" were the usual adjuncts of banquets ( Psalms 23:5 ; Psalms 104:15 ). Some unguents used for anointing honoured guests were very costly. The pound of spikenard expended by Mary of Bethany was worth mere than three hundred... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:17

The love of pleasure The love of pleasure is here described as a cause of poverty. No doubt this was meant to refer to physical destitution. But we cannot fail to see many other forms of poverty resulting from the same foolish infatuation. I. IT IMPOVERISHES A MAN 'S PURSE . This direct meaning of the text is not without its valise. No man desires to come down in the social scale and to lose the comforts of life. But least of all will the pleasure lover welcome such a prospect.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 21:17

Proverbs 21:17. He that loveth pleasure That gives himself up to the pursuit and enjoyment of sensual pleasure; shall be a poor man Takes the ready course to poverty. He that loveth wine and oil Which were much used in feasts in those parts; that is, he that loves to feast and live delicately; shall not be rich For the lusts of sensuality are not maintained but at a great expense. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:1-31

God at work in people’s lives (21:1-31)As God directs the course along which a stream flows, so he guides the decisions of national rulers according to his plan (21:1). God knows people’s motives and he will not accept their sacrifices if their thoughts and actions are wrong (2-4). Prosperity that comes through diligence is a fitting reward, but prosperity that comes through greed, lying and violence is a deadly trap (5-8). Some people make life unpleasant for those who live in the same house,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 21:17

poor = destitute. Heb heser. See note on Proverbs 6:11 . wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 21:17

"He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.""The pleasure-lover strikes out for joy, but finds only poverty; but Proverbs 21:16 has just sounded the warning that more than pleasure is at stake."[15] The stakes in the game of life on earth are very high indeed: Eternal Life or Eternal Death. read more

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