Bible Strands
Proverbs 21:20
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom author addresses a general audience within a collection of practical instructions, placing this saying between warnings about domestic strife and commands to pursue righteousness.
The words — אֹצָר (o.Tzar) denotes a stored treasure, while יְבַלְעֶנּוּ (ye.val.le.'E./nu) literally means he swallows up, describing the fool’s destructive consumption.
The thread — The text’s pairing of wealth and oil connects to Matthew 25:3, which explicitly mentions oil, while Psalms 112:3 and Ecclesiastes 5:19 reference wealth or riches without mentioning oil.
Why it lands — The verse demands a clear distinction between the wise who preserve resources and the foolish who rapidly exhaust them, requiring the reader to examine their own stewardship.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Cross-references
- Matthew 25:3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.
- Psalms 112:3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
- Ecclesiastes 5:19 Furthermore, 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.
- Proverbs 15:6 The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
- Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.
- Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
- Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it.
- Luke 15:14 After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
- Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
- Jeremiah 41:8 But 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.