Proverbs 21:20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:20

Note, 1. Those that are wise will increase what they have and live plentifully; their wisdom will teach them to proportion their expenses to their income and to lay up for hereafter; so that there is a treasure of things to be desired, and as much as needs be desired, a good stock of all things convenient, laid up in season, and particularly of oil, one of the staple commodities of Canaan, Deut. 8:8. This is in the habitation, or cottage, of the wise; and it is better to have an old-fashioned... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:20

There is a treasure to be desired ,.... Gold, silver, jewels, and precious stones; all sorts food, as Aben Ezra explains it, and rich and costly, raiment; all which may be lawfully desired and sought after, and, when obtained, laid up for future use; which may be spared for their own service and that of posterity: but there are riches of grace, a pearl of great price and treasure in heaven, more desirable than these, Matthew 6:19 ; and oil in the dwelling of the wise ; which is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:18-20

Alternatives presented to choice I. THE JUST AND UPRIGHT , THE FAITHLESS AND WICKED LIFE . ( Proverbs 21:18 .) It occurs in many cases that the Divine wrath in judgment turns aside from the just man to roll upon the head of the sinner. See this in a natural light in Isaiah 43:3 , and in the great Christian light of redemption ( 2 Corinthians 5:21 ; 1 Peter 3:18 ). Christ became as sin, or in the place of the sinner, for us. We must not, however, confuse the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:20

There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise. Precious treasure and store of provision and rich unguents ( Proverbs 21:17 ) are collected in the house of the wise man, by which he may fare sumptuously, exercise hospitality, and lay up for the future (comp. Proverbs 24:4 ). But a foolish man spendeth it up. "A fool of a man" ( Proverbs 15:20 ) soon swallows, runs through and exhausts, all that has been accumulated ( Proverbs 21:17 ). Septuagint, "A desirable ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 21:20

Proverbs 21:20. There is a treasure, &c., in the dwelling of the wise Wise men lay up all necessary and desirable treasures for their own use and for their families. Oil is particularly mentioned, because it was a considerable part of their wealth and treasures in those countries; but a foolish man spendeth it Or, as Houbigant renders the clause, A foolish man will dissipate these; or, as Schultens reads it, A foolish man, a man given to luxury and extravagance, absorbs it; ... 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 21:20

foolish. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . spendeth it up = swalloweth it up. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 21:20

"There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up."This is the common viewpoint of Proverbs that the wise are wealthy and the fool is in poverty. There is a limited sense in which this is true; "But in the spiritual warfare, earthly wisdom avails nothing at all (1Cor. 1:5-16,2 Corinthians 10:4)."[19] read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 21:20

Proverbs 21:20. There is a treasure, &c.— Desirable treasure and oil are in the dwelling, &c. Houbigant renders the last clause, But a foolish man will dissipate these: and Schultens, But a foolish man, or a man given to luxury or extravagance, absorbs it; i.e. all that desirable treasure and opulence which his wise and careful father had abundantly laid up. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 21:20

20. The wise, by diligence and care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools spend—literally, "swallow it up," greedily. read more