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Proverbs Chapter 21

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 31 Verses

What is Proverbs 21 about?

Practical wisdom for daily life, family, work, and worship, all rooted in the fear of the LORD. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1The king`s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4A high look, and a proud heart, [Even] the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty [hasteth] only to want.
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
7The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.
9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, [How] the wicked are overthrown to [their] ruin.
13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous [cometh] in the stead of the upright.
19It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
24The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
25The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
28A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.
29A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.
31The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“The king’s heart [is] in the hand of the Lord, [as] the rivers of water, etc.] The heart of every king, and all that is in it, his thoughts, counsels, purposes, and designs; the hearts of bad kings, as Pharaoh, whom the Lord hardened and softened at pleasure; the antichristian kings, into whose hearts he put it to give their kingdoms to the beast, (<661717>Revelation 17:17); the hearts of good kings, as David, Solomon, Cyrus, and others: and if the hearts of kings are in the hands of the Lord, which are full of things of the greatest importance with respect to the government of the world; and which are generally…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“(Pro. 21:1-31) rivers--irrigating channels (Psa 1:3), whose course was easily turned (compare Deu 11:10). God disposes even kings as He pleases (Pro 16:9; Psa 33:15).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Rivers of water - See the Psalms 1:3 note. As the cultivator directs the stream into the channels where it is most wanted, so Yahweh directs the thoughts of the true king, that his favors may fall, not at random, but in harmony with a divine order. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“The kings - He names kings not to exclude other men, but because they are more arbitrary and uncontrollable than others. As rivers - Which husband - men draw by little channels into the adjacent grounds as they please. Proverbs 21:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“21:1 A king was the most powerful individual in an ancient nation, and it seemed that he could do as he pleased. However, God directs the heart of the king.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“The king's: Pro 16:1, Pro 16:9, Pro 20:24; Ezr 7:27, Ezr 7:28; Neh 1:11, Neh 2:4; Psa 105:25, Psa 106:46; Dan 4:35; Act 7:10 as: Psa 74:15, Psa 93:4, Psa 114:3, Psa 114:5; Isa 43:19, Isa 44:27; Rev 16:4, Rev 16:12 Proverbs 21:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The group, like the preceding one, now closes with a proverb of the king. A king's heart in Jahve's hand is like brooks of water; He turneth it whithersoever He will. Brook and canal (the Quinta: ὑδραγωγοί) are both called פּלג, or פּלג, Job 20:17, Arab. falaj (from פּלג, to divide, according to which Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion, διαρέσεις; Venet. διανομαί; Jerome, divisiones); Jkt has the explanation of the word: "falaj is the name given to flowing water, particularly the brook from a spring, and every canal which is led from a spring out over flat ground." Such brooks of water are the heart of a king,…”
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