Proverbs 21:20

“[There is] a treasure to be desired, etc.] 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, (<400619>Matthew 6:19,20); and oil in the dwelling of the wise; which is particularly mentioned, because a principal blessing of the land of Canaan; much used for food, and was for delight and refreshment: and something of this was in the house of every wise, provident, and…”

“The wise, by diligence and care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools spend--literally, "swallow it up," greedily.”

“Spendeth it up - literally, swalloweth it. The wise man keeps a store in reserve. He gains uprightly, spends moderately, never exhausts himself. But the proverb may have also a higher application. The wise man stores up all “treasure to be desired” of wisdom, all “oil” of divine influence, which strengthens and refreshes, and so is ready at all times for the work to which the Master calls him. Compare Matthew 25:1-13. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The wise - Wise men lay up desirable treasures for their own use, and for their families. Oil is particularly mentioned, because that was a considerable part of their wealth and treasures in those countries. Proverbs 21:22”

“21:20 See also 3:9-10, 15-16; 10:15, 16, 22; 14:24.”

“treasure: Pro 10:22, Pro 15:6; Psa 112:3; Ecc 5:19, Ecc 7:11, Ecc 10:19; Mat 6:19, Mat 6:20; Luk 6:45 oil: Psa 23:5; Jer 41:8; Mat 25:3, Mat 25:4 but: Mat 25:3, Mat 25:4, Mat 25:8; Luk 15:14, Luk 16:1, Luk 16:19-25 Proverbs 21:21”

“20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; And a fool of a man squanders it. The wise spares, the fool squanders; and if the latter enters on the inheritance which the former with trouble and care collected, it is soon devoured. The combination אוצר נחמד ושׁמן \[desirable treasure and oil\] has something inconcinnate, wherefore the accentuation places אוצר by itself by Mehuppach Legarmeh; but it is not to be translated "a treasure of that which is precious, and oil," since it is punctuated אוצר, and not אוצר; and besides, in that case מחמדּים would have been used instead of נחמד. Thus by אוצר נחמד, a desirable and splendid capital in gold and things of value ( Isa 23:18;…”