Proverbs 21:22

KJV

¶ A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

A wise {H2450} man scaleth {H5927} the city {H5892} of the mighty {H1368}, and casteth down {H3381} the strength {H5797} of the confidence {H4009} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

A wise man can go up into a city of warriors and undermine the strength in which it trusts.

Berean Standard Bible

A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

American Standard Version

A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 21:22 powerfully asserts the triumph of wisdom over brute force and material defenses, illustrating that strategic insight and discerning understanding can dismantle even the most formidable obstacles and the misplaced confidence placed in them. This proverb highlights that true strength lies not in physical might or fortified positions, but in the superior, often subtle, power of wisdom to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 21 is a collection of independent, pithy sayings that touch upon various aspects of righteous living, justice, diligence, and the consequences of human actions, often contrasting wisdom with folly. This chapter frequently emphasizes God's sovereignty over human endeavors, the importance of integrity, and the ultimate futility of relying on human strength or wealth without divine wisdom. Verse 22 fits seamlessly into this tapestry, serving as a specific illustration of wisdom's practical superiority, echoing broader themes found in the book, such as the value of wisdom over material possessions or military power, as seen in [Proverbs 24:5](/proverbs/24-5 "Proverbs 24:5 - Wisdom is Better than Strength") or [Proverbs 16:32](/proverbs/16-32 "Proverbs 16:32 - Patience is Better than Power"). It stands as a testament to the strategic advantage that discerning insight provides over mere physical might.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, cities were the primary centers of power, commerce, and defense. Their strength was measured by their walls, their military, and the might of their "mighty men" (גִּבֹּרִים, *gibbôrim*). Sieges were common, and overcoming a well-fortified city was a monumental task, often requiring overwhelming force, prolonged starvation, or clever stratagem. The "strength of the confidence" of such a city would be rooted in its physical defenses, its warriors, and its perceived invincibility. Against this backdrop, the proverb's assertion that a "wise man" can scale and cast down such a stronghold is a radical claim, subverting the conventional understanding of power and demonstrating that intellectual and spiritual acumen can achieve what armies often cannot. This speaks to a culture where physical prowess was highly valued, making the elevation of wisdom all the more striking.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the **superiority of wisdom over physical strength**. The proverb argues that wisdom is not merely theoretical knowledge but a practical, active force capable of achieving tangible results that brute force cannot. It speaks to **strategic conquest**, suggesting that wisdom enables one to identify vulnerabilities and dismantle the very foundations of an opponent's perceived security, rather than engaging in a direct, overwhelming assault. This involves **displacing false security**, as the "city of the mighty" symbolizes reliance on human power, material defenses, or self-confidence, which wisdom exposes as ultimately fragile. This resonates with biblical warnings against trusting in human devices or earthly power, as articulated in passages like [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalm/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by the Size of His Army") or [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help"). The proverb thus champions a divine perspective on power, where God's wisdom, embodied in the wise individual, ultimately prevails.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wise (Hebrew, _châkâm'_):** This term (H2450) denotes someone intelligent, skillful, or artful, possessing practical wisdom that leads to effective action. It's not merely intellectual knowledge but a discerning ability to apply truth in real-world situations, often implying a moral and spiritual dimension aligned with God's ways.
* **Scaleth (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** The verb (H5927) means "to ascend," "to go up," or "to overcome." In this context, it implies a successful penetration or surmounting of defenses, suggesting not a frontal assault but a strategic, perhaps unexpected, means of entry or conquest that overcomes obstacles.
* **Mighty (Hebrew, _gibbôwr'_):** This word (H1368) describes someone powerful, a warrior, or a champion. When applied to a city, it signifies a formidable, strongly defended place, inhabited by strong, valiant individuals, representing a significant challenge.
* **Confidence (Hebrew, _mibṭâch'_):** This noun (H4009) refers to a refuge, security, or assurance, often implying trust or reliance. Here, it points to the source of the mighty city's perceived invincibility—its trust in its own strength, walls, or warriors—which the wise man undermines.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty":** This clause presents the initial, seemingly impossible feat. A single "wise man" (representing wisdom itself) is able to overcome a "city of the mighty"—a fortified stronghold defended by powerful warriors. This isn't a physical act of climbing walls but a metaphorical representation of wisdom's ability to find and exploit weaknesses, to outmaneuver and overcome seemingly impregnable obstacles through strategic insight and discernment.
* **"and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof."** This second clause explains *how* the wise man conquers. He doesn't just breach the physical defenses; he dismantles the very "strength of the confidence" that the mighty city or its inhabitants rely upon. This implies that wisdom targets the source of their perceived invincibility—their misplaced trust in their own power, resources, or fortifications—thereby undermining their morale and strategic advantage from within. It's a victory of insight over presumption.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 21:22 employs several potent **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the "city of the mighty" serves as a powerful symbol for any formidable obstacle, challenge, or entrenched system built on human strength or false security. The "wise man" is also a **Metaphor** or **Personification** of wisdom itself, demonstrating its active, conquering power. The act of "scaling" and "casting down" is **Figurative Language**, illustrating the strategic and often non-conventional ways wisdom achieves victory, contrasting sharply with literal military conquest. The proverb also utilizes **Juxtaposition** by placing the singular "wise man" against the collective "city of the mighty," emphasizing the disproportionate power of wisdom. This **Antithetical Parallelism** (though not explicitly stated, implied by the contrast) highlights that wisdom operates on a different plane than physical might, ultimately proving superior.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb deeply resonates with the biblical emphasis on God's wisdom as the ultimate source of true power and security, contrasting it with the futility of human pride and self-reliance. It underscores the theological truth that reliance on human strength, military might, or material wealth is ultimately misplaced, as all such things are transient and fallible. True victory and lasting security come from aligning oneself with divine wisdom, which can discern the true nature of challenges and dismantle the very foundations of opposition, whether spiritual, intellectual, or practical. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God often uses the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise and mighty, demonstrating His own power and wisdom.

* [Ecclesiastes 9:16](/ecclesiastes/9-16 "Ecclesiastes 9:16 - Wisdom is Better than Strength")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor by Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 21:22 offers profound encouragement and guidance for navigating the "cities of the mighty" in our own lives. These are the seemingly insurmountable challenges, entrenched habits, systemic injustices, or formidable adversaries that appear to defy conventional solutions. Instead of resorting to brute force, despair, or overwhelming resources, this proverb calls us to cultivate and apply wisdom. It teaches us to look beyond the surface, to discern the true "strength of the confidence" that underpins the problem—be it fear, pride, ignorance, or misplaced trust—and to strategically address that root cause. This might involve prayerful discernment, seeking counsel, creative problem-solving, or patiently chipping away at the foundations of an issue rather than engaging in a head-on collision. Ultimately, it reminds us that genuine victory often comes not from overwhelming power, but from insightful understanding, strategic action, and a reliance on God's wisdom, which can dismantle even the most formidable obstacles and expose the fragility of false securities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cities of the mighty" currently stand in my life, whether personal, professional, or spiritual?**
* **In what ways might I be relying on my own "strength of confidence" rather than seeking divine wisdom to address these challenges?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's wisdom to strategically approach and dismantle the obstacles I face?**

### FAQ
**Does "scaleth the city" imply a literal military conquest?**

Answer: While the imagery is drawn from military contexts of ancient city sieges, the proverb uses it metaphorically. "Scaleth the city" (H5927, *ʻâlâh*, to ascend or overcome) does not necessarily imply a literal physical scaling of walls by a single person. Instead, it illustrates wisdom's ability to overcome formidable obstacles by finding non-obvious ways to penetrate or undermine them. It speaks to strategic insight and discernment that can achieve victory where brute force might fail, often by targeting the "strength of the confidence" (H4009, *mibṭâch*, security or trust) that the mighty rely upon, rather than just their physical defenses. This is a common feature of wisdom literature, where practical truths are conveyed through vivid, often figurative, language, as seen in [Proverbs 24:5](/proverbs/24-5 "Proverbs 24:5 - Wisdom is Better than Strength").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 21:22 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of divine wisdom. While human wisdom can scale metaphorical cities, Christ, as the [wisdom of God](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"), truly "scaled" the city of sin and death, not by brute force, but by a strategic, self-sacrificial act that dismantled the very "strength of the confidence" of humanity's greatest adversaries. The "mighty" in this context can be understood as the powers of darkness, sin, and death, which held humanity captive and whose "confidence" lay in their seemingly unbreakable grip. Yet, Christ, through His crucifixion and resurrection, entered the stronghold of death (symbolically "scaling" it) and [cast down the power of him who had the power of death](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death"), which is the devil. His victory was not a display of overwhelming physical might but a triumph of divine wisdom and love, disarming the spiritual rulers and authorities and [making a public spectacle of them](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"). Thus, the wise man of Proverbs foreshadows the ultimate Wise One, Jesus, who conquers the greatest strongholds by overturning the very foundation of their power and offering true confidence and security in Himself.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 7:19

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] which are in the city.

Proverbs 24:5

A wise man [is] strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

Ecclesiastes 9:13

¶ This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it [seemed] great unto me:

Ecclesiastes 9:18

Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

2 Samuel 5:6

¶ And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

2 Samuel 5:9

So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

2 Samuel 20:16

Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.