Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
Parallel translations
- WEB There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.
- KJV There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
- ESV Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
- NKJV There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
- NASB There is precious treasure and oil in the home of the wise, But a foolish person swallows it up.
- NLT The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The wise store up treasure and provision, but a fool devours all he has. It matters because wisdom includes prudent saving and stewardship.
Overview
The wise person manages resources prudently, keeping reserves, while the fool consumes everything recklessly (Proverbs 13:22; 6:6-8). The verse commends foresight and good stewardship. Faithful management of what God provides is part of wise, God-honoring living.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Matt 25:3–4The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.
- Eccl 5:19Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.
- Ps 112:3Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
- Eccl 7:11Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.
- Prov 15:6The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
- Prov 10:22The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.
- Ps 23:5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
- Luke 15:14After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
- Eccl 10:19A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
- Luke 6:45The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
- Matt 6:19–20Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
- Luke 16:1Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.
- Jer 41:8But ten of the men among them said to Ishmael, “Do not kill us, for we have hidden treasure in the field—wheat, barley, oil, and honey!” So he refrained from killing them with the others.
- Job 20:15He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach.
- Job 20:18He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he cannot enjoy the profits of his trading.
- Matt 25:8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
- Luke 16:19–25Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 21:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.