Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. Precious treasures and oilIn the Hebrew context, "precious treasures" refers to valuable resources, both material and spiritual, that are accumulated through wisdom and diligence. The word for "treasures" (אוֹצָר, 'otsar) often denotes wealth stored up, not just in terms of money, but also in terms of knowledge and spiritual insight. "Oil" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen) in ancient Israel was a symbol of prosperity, used for anointing, cooking, and lighting lamps. It signifies abundance and blessing. The presence of these in the dwelling of the wise suggests that wisdom leads to the accumulation and preservation of resources, both tangible and intangible. are in the dwelling of the wise
The "dwelling" (נָוֶה, naveh) signifies more than just a physical house; it represents the life and environment of a person. The "wise" (חָכָם, chakam) are those who live according to God's principles, exercising discernment and understanding. Historically, wisdom literature in the Bible emphasizes that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). The wise person’s life is marked by careful stewardship and prudent management of resources, leading to a stable and prosperous household. but a foolish man consumes them
The "foolish man" (כְּסִיל, kesil) is characterized by a lack of foresight and understanding. In biblical terms, foolishness is often equated with moral and spiritual deficiency, not merely intellectual lack. The verb "consumes" (בָּלַע, bala) implies wastefulness and destruction. The foolish person squanders resources, living for immediate gratification without regard for future needs or consequences. This behavior contrasts sharply with the wise, who preserve and multiply their resources. Persons / Places / Events 1. The WiseRepresents individuals who are prudent, discerning, and make decisions that lead to prosperity and sustainability. In the context of Proverbs, the wise are those who fear the Lord and live according to His principles. 2. The FoolishSymbolizes those who lack judgment and self-control, often leading to wastefulness and ruin. In biblical literature, the foolish are contrasted with the wise, often ignoring God's wisdom. 3. Treasures and OilIn ancient times, treasures and oil were symbols of wealth and abundance. Oil was used for anointing, cooking, and lighting, making it a valuable commodity. 4. DwellingRefers to the household or life of a person. The state of one's dwelling often reflects their character and choices. 5. ConsumptionThe act of using up resources. In this context, it implies wastefulness and lack of foresight. Teaching Points Value of WisdomWisdom leads to the accumulation and preservation of resources. It is not merely about having wealth but managing it wisely. Consequences of FoolishnessFoolishness results in the squandering of resources. It serves as a warning against impulsive and short-sighted decisions. StewardshipChristians are called to be good stewards of the resources God provides. This includes planning, saving, and using resources for God's glory. Spiritual and Material BalanceWhile material wealth is not inherently wrong, it should be balanced with spiritual richness and generosity. Preparation and ForesightLike the wise virgins in Matthew 25, believers should prepare for the future, both materially and spiritually. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of wisdom in Proverbs 21:20 relate to the fear of the Lord as described in Proverbs 9:10? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of wise resource management in our daily lives? 3. How does the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25 illustrate the importance of preparedness and foresight? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to avoid the pitfalls of foolish consumption as warned in Proverbs 21:20? 5. How can we ensure that our pursuit of material wealth does not overshadow our spiritual growth and generosity? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 10:22This verse highlights that the blessing of the Lord brings wealth without painful toil, connecting to the idea that wise stewardship leads to lasting prosperity. Matthew 25:1-13The Parable of the Ten Virgins emphasizes the importance of preparedness and wise resource management, similar to the prudent use of treasures and oil. Luke 12:16-21The Parable of the Rich Fool warns against hoarding wealth without being "rich toward God," contrasting earthly consumption with spiritual wisdom. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Choice, Costly, Desirable, Desired, Devours, Dwelling, Foolish, Habitation, Man's, Oil, Precious, Remains, Spendeth, Store, Stores, Swalloweth, Swallows, Treasure, Value, Wasted, WiseDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 21:20 4488 oil
5340 house
5856 extravagance
5967 thrift
5979 waste
8365 wisdom, human Proverbs 21:20-21 8367 wisdom, importance of Library Definition of Actual Grace
1. GENERAL NOTION OF GRACE.--The best way to arrive at a correct definition of actual grace is by the synthetic method. We therefore begin with the general notion of grace. Like "nature,"(3) grace (gratia, {GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is a word of wide reach, used in a great variety of senses. Habert(4) enumerates no less than fourteen; which, however, may be reduced to four. a) Subjectively, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and HabitualEpistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. And I trust in the bounty …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Epistle Cvi. To Syagrius, Ætherius, virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops .
To Syagrius, Ætherius, Virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops [65] . Gregory to Syagrius of Augustodunum (Autun), Etherius of Lugdunum (Lyons), Virgilius of Aretale (Arles), and Desiderius of Vienna (Vienne), bishops of Gaul. A paribus. Our Head, which is Christ, has to this end willed us to be His members, that through the bond of charity and faith He might make us one body in Himself. And to Him it befits us so to adhere in heart, that, since without Him we can be nothing, through Him we may …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy. Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 21:20 NIVProverbs 21:20 NLTProverbs 21:20 ESVProverbs 21:20 NASBProverbs 21:20 KJV
Proverbs 21:20 Commentaries
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