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Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 10:20–21. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We are here taught how to value men, not by their wealth and preferment in the world, but by their virtue.
I.Good men are good for something.
Though they may be poor and low in the world, and may not have power and riches to do good with, yet, as long as they have a mouth to speak, that will make them valuable and useful, and upon that account we must honour those that fear the Lord, because out of the good treasure of their heart they bring forth good things.
1.This makes them valuable: The tongue of the just is as choice silver; they are sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. God's words are compared to silver purified (Psa 12:6), for they may be relied on; and such are the words of just men. They are of weight and worth, and will enrich those that hear them with wisdom, which is better than choice silver.
2.It makes them useful: The lips of the righteous feed many; for they are full of the word of God, which is the bread of life, and that sound doctrine wherewith souls are nourished up. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy, to the hungry.
II.Bad men are good for nothing.
1.One can get no good by them: The heart of the wicked is little worth, and therefore that which comes out of the abundance of his heart cannot be worth much. His principles, his notions, his thoughts, his purposes, and all the things that fill him, and affect him, are worldly and carnal, and therefore of no value. He that is of the earth speaks of the earth, and neither understands nor relishes the things of God, Joh 3:31; Co1 2:14. The wicked man pretends that, though he does not talk of religion as the just do, yet he has it within him, and thanks God that his heart is good; but he that searches the heart here says the contrary: It is nothing worth.
2.One can do no good to them. While many are fed by the lips of the righteous, fools die for want of wisdom; and fools indeed they are to die for want of that which they might so easily come by. Fools die for want of a heart (so the word is); they perish for want of consideration and resolution; they have no heart to do any thing for their own good. While the righteous feed others fools starve themselves.
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Summary
Proverbs 10:21 presents a profound antithesis, sharply contrasting the life-giving influence of the righteous with the self-destructive trajectory of the foolish. It reveals that the words and counsel of those who live in alignment with God's truth serve as vital spiritual and intellectual nourishment for many, fostering growth and well-being. Conversely, it warns that individuals who stubbornly reject wisdom and understanding ultimately face dire, even fatal, consequences, succumbing to a profound lack of discernment that leads to their demise.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 10:21 is situated within the second major section of the book of Proverbs, often referred to as "The Proverbs of Solomon," encompassing chapters 10-29. This segment is characterized by a collection of individual, pithy sayings, predominantly employing antithetical parallelism. In this literary structure, two contrasting ideas are presented in parallel lines to highlight a moral or theological truth, making the distinction between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, exceptionally clear. Unlike the longer discourses in Proverbs 1-9, these proverbs are generally self-contained units, offering discrete, divinely inspired insights into virtuous living, ethical conduct, and the inevitable consequences of moral choices. They function as practical wisdom for navigating daily life, consistently guiding the reader toward a life of integrity and alignment with God's will.
Historical & Cultural Context
The book of Proverbs is a cornerstone of ancient Israel's wisdom tradition, a genre that flourished across the ancient Near East. In this cultural setting, "wisdom" was far more than mere intellectual knowledge; it was a practical, moral, and spiritual skill for living successfully and righteously within community, deeply rooted in observation of both the natural world and human behavior. Education was primarily communal, with elders and parents imparting moral and practical instruction to younger generations. Speech held immense cultural significance; words were understood to possess inherent power—to create, to destroy, to bless, or to curse. The "fool" (ʼĕvîyl) in Proverbs is not simply unintelligent but represents a morally perverse individual who actively despises instruction, rejects God's ways, and stubbornly chooses a path leading to self-destruction. The societal framework emphasized communal well-being, making the impact of an individual's words and actions on the broader community a paramount concern.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to the book of Proverbs. It underscores the power of the tongue and the moral responsibility inherent in speech, emphasizing that righteous words are a profound source of sustenance and guidance for others. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Furthermore, it highlights the vital importance of wisdom for genuine life and flourishing, presenting its absence not as a neutral state but as a fatal deficiency. The stark contrast between the "righteous" and "fools" reinforces the book's central preoccupation with character formation and the dichotomy between wisdom and folly, consistently portraying wisdom as the path to life and folly as the path to ruin, as seen in the foundational exhortations of Proverbs 1-9. The verse also touches on the theme of communal benefit versus individual destruction, illustrating how the righteous contribute positively to society through their words, while fools inevitably bring about their own demise.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb means "to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)." In the context of "the lips of the righteous feed many," it conveys the comprehensive idea of providing nourishment, guidance, and diligent care, much like a shepherd diligently nourishes and leads his flock. The words emanating from the righteous are thus not merely informative but are life-sustaining, nurturing, and deeply beneficial.
Derived from H191, this term describes someone who is "perverse" and "silly." In the wisdom literature of Proverbs, an ʼĕvîyl is not simply an unintelligent person but a morally and spiritually deficient individual, characterized by an obstinate refusal to accept instruction, correction, or divine truth. Their foolishness is a chosen disposition, a deliberate resistance to wisdom that inevitably leads to self-destruction.
lêb primarily means "the heart," but is used "figuratively very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect." While translated as "wisdom" in this verse, it carries the broader connotation of understanding, discernment, and intellectual capacity that originates from the core of one's being. Thus, "want of wisdom" implies a profound lack of proper discernment, moral understanding, and spiritual insight, leading to destructive choices and a failure to thrive.
Verse Breakdown
"The lips of the righteous feed many:"
This clause employs a powerful metaphor, portraying the speech of the upright as a source of vital sustenance. "Lips" here represent the entirety of one's speech, communication, and verbal output. The "righteous" (tsaddîyq) are those individuals whose lives are characterized by conformity to God's moral standards and divine will. Their words are not trivial or empty but are substantial, providing spiritual, moral, and practical nourishment to a multitude of people (rab). This "feeding" encompasses teaching, guiding, encouraging, imparting truth, and offering counsel that leads to life, flourishing, and well-being for the community.
"but fools die for want of wisdom."
This clause presents a stark and sobering contrast, highlighting the fatal consequence of persistent folly. "Fools" (ʼĕvîyl) are those who are morally perverse, resistant to instruction, and contemptuous of truth. They "die" (mûwth), which signifies not only potential physical death but, more profoundly, spiritual and moral ruin—a life devoid of true purpose, meaning, and flourishing. This demise occurs "for want of wisdom" (châçêr lêb), meaning a fundamental lack of discernment, understanding, and the moral intelligence that springs from a heart open to God's truth. Their self-chosen ignorance and rejection of divine wisdom inevitably lead to their downfall and ultimate ruin.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 10:21 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound truth. The most prominent is Antithetical Parallelism, where the first line presents a positive assertion about the beneficial impact of the righteous, and the second line contrasts it sharply with a negative consequence for the foolish. This structure powerfully emphasizes the divergent outcomes of embracing wisdom versus succumbing to folly. Metaphor is central to the first clause, as "lips" are depicted as a source of "feeding," vividly likening wise and righteous speech to life-sustaining food or the nurturing care of a shepherd. This evokes a powerful image of words providing essential sustenance and guidance. The phrase "fools die" utilizes Metonymy or Hyperbole; while it can refer to literal death, it more broadly signifies spiritual, moral, and social ruin, indicating that a life devoid of wisdom is effectively a living death, a profound state of non-flourishing. The entire verse functions as a concise yet profound Proverb, encapsulating a timeless truth about human behavior and its inherent consequences within a memorable saying.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 10:21 profoundly articulates the biblical emphasis on the transformative power of words and the critical, life-or-death nature of wisdom for human existence. The "feeding" by the lips of the righteous points to the divine nature of truth and instruction, which, when spoken by those aligned with God's character and will, brings genuine life and nourishment to others. This echoes the broader biblical concept that God's Word itself is inherently life-giving and sustains all who heed it. Conversely, the "death" of fools due to a lack of wisdom underscores humanity's inherent need for divine guidance and the perilous, indeed fatal, consequences of rejecting it. It highlights that true wisdom is not merely intellectual acumen but is profoundly spiritual and moral, rooted in a right relationship with God, and its absence leads to a profound disconnect from life and all true flourishing.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 10:21 serves as a powerful mirror for profound self-examination, prompting us to deeply consider the far-reaching impact of our words and the depth of our personal commitment to cultivating wisdom. Are our "lips" truly sources of life, truth, encouragement, and sound counsel, or do they inadvertently contribute to confusion, despair, or foolishness in the lives of others? The call to "feed many" through righteous speech is a profound summons to intentional and responsible communication, where our words are carefully chosen, seasoned with grace, and purposed to build up, instruct, and impart spiritual nourishment, thereby reflecting the very character of Christ. This requires not only speaking truth but speaking it with love, discernment, and humility. Simultaneously, the stark warning about "fools" who "die for want of wisdom" compels us to actively pursue wisdom as an indispensable lifeline. This pursuit begins with a posture of humility, a fervent willingness to learn from God's Word, and a readiness to submit to His divine instruction, recognizing that true wisdom is a precious gift from above that safeguards us from destructive paths. It challenges us to honestly examine any areas of our lives where we might be resisting truth, clinging to self-defeating patterns, or neglecting the pursuit of divine understanding, urging us to wholeheartedly embrace the life-giving principles of God's wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean for "the lips of the righteous feed many"?
This phrase uses a powerful metaphor to describe the profound, positive impact of the words spoken by those who are morally upright, just, and aligned with God's will. Just as physical food provides essential sustenance for the body, the words of the righteous provide spiritual, intellectual, and moral nourishment for the soul. This "feeding" involves imparting divine truth, offering wise and godly counsel, providing genuine encouragement, teaching sound doctrine, and speaking life-giving words that guide others toward understanding, righteousness, and flourishing. It implies that their speech is consistently edifying, constructive, beneficial, and a source of life to a wide audience, helping them to grow and thrive.
Who are the "fools" mentioned in this proverb, and why do they "die for want of wisdom"?
In the book of Proverbs, a "fool" (Hebrew: ʼĕvîyl) is not merely someone who lacks intellectual capacity, but rather an individual who is morally perverse, obstinate, and fundamentally resistant to instruction, correction, and divine truth. This type of fool actively despises wisdom and God's ways, stubbornly choosing a path of self-will, ignorance, and rebellion against divine order. They "die" not necessarily in a literal, immediate physical sense, but in a broader, more profound way that encompasses spiritual, moral, and often practical ruin. Their demise is a direct consequence of their profound "want of wisdom" (lêb, meaning understanding or discernment of the heart), which leads them to make destructive choices, resulting in a life devoid of true purpose, peace, and flourishing—effectively a living death. Their downfall is a direct consequence of their chosen rejection of wisdom.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 10:21 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential Righteous One, the very embodiment of divine wisdom, whose "lips" truly "feed many" in an unparalleled and eternal way. As the Word made flesh, Jesus perfectly embodies divine wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). His teachings, from the profound Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) to His illuminating parables, are not mere words but are "spirit and life" (John 6:63), providing eternal nourishment that satisfies the deepest hunger of the soul. He declared Himself the Bread of Life, offering true sustenance that eternally satisfies. In stark contrast to the fools who "die for want of wisdom," humanity, apart from Christ, is indeed spiritually foolish and perishing. Jesus, however, offers Himself as the very wisdom of God, rescuing us from the spiritual death caused by our folly. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He provides the ultimate wisdom that leads to eternal life, transforming those who were once fools into the righteous, enabling them to live by His life-giving words and, in turn, to feed others with the truth of the Gospel.