Proverbs 27:20

Translation
King James Version
¶ Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
Hell H7585 and destruction H11 H10 are never H3808 full H7646; so the eyes H5869 of man H120 are never satisfied H7646.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
Sh'ol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and human eyes are never satisfied.
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Ask
American Standard Version
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
The graue and destruction can neuer be full, so the eyes of man can neuer be satisfied.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
Sheol and destruction are not satisfied, And the eyes of man are not satisfied.
Ask
See also
Ecclesiastes 1:81 John 2:16Proverbs 30:15Proverbs 30:16Ecclesiastes 6:7Habakkuk 2:5Ecclesiastes 2:10
In the KJVVerse 17,190 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Proverbs 27:20 offers a profound and stark observation on the inherent insatiability of both the grave and human desire. It draws a powerful parallel, asserting that just as the underworld and destruction are never filled, so too the longing, ambition, and covetousness of humanity remain perpetually unsatisfied. This proverb serves as a timeless piece of wisdom, highlighting the futility of seeking ultimate contentment through endless worldly accumulation or the pursuit of ephemeral pleasures, pointing instead to a deeper, spiritual void that cannot be sated by material or earthly means.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Proverbs 27 is an integral part of the "Sayings of Solomon" (Proverbs 25-29), a collection characterized by its use of vivid imagery, concise statements, and various forms of parallelism to impart practical wisdom and moral truths. This chapter, in particular, presents a diverse array of admonitions concerning personal character, the nature of true friendship, self-control, and the pitfalls of pride and idleness. Proverbs 27:20 stands out as a universal insight into the human condition, seamlessly fitting within a book that frequently contrasts worldly folly with divine wisdom. Its placement among proverbs dealing with diligence, the value of true counsel, and the deceptive nature of outward appearance underscores the idea that genuine satisfaction is not found in external pursuits but in an internal disposition aligned with wisdom and truth.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, the concepts of "Sheol" (often translated "Hell" or "grave") and "Abaddon" ("destruction") were deeply embedded in the cultural understanding of death and the afterlife. Sheol was largely conceived as a vast, shadowy realm beneath the earth, the common destination for all the dead, irrespective of their moral standing. It was perceived as an ever-consuming maw that swallowed all life without ever reaching capacity. Abaddon, closely associated with Sheol, further emphasized the destructive and ruinous aspects of death and decay. This imagery would have resonated powerfully with an agrarian society acutely aware of the cycles of life, death, and consumption. The "eyes of man" would have signified not merely visual perception but the entire scope of human appetite, longing, and ambition, a concept understood within a society where resources were often scarce and the temptation for accumulation was ever-present.
  • Key Themes: The central theme of Proverbs 27:20 is the insatiability of human desire. It posits that human craving, left unchecked, is a bottomless pit, much like the grave itself. This theme is pervasive throughout wisdom literature, serving as a cautionary warning against the deceptive allure of materialism and the endless pursuit of "more." It connects to the broader biblical emphasis on contentment and the understanding that true satisfaction is not found in accumulation but in aligning one's heart with God's will and finding joy in His provision. The proverb implicitly critiques greed and covetousness, portraying them as ultimately self-defeating endeavors that lead to perpetual dissatisfaction. This sentiment echoes the lament found throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, particularly in Ecclesiastes 1:8, which states, "All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." Similarly, Proverbs 30:15-16 lists "the grave" among four things that are "never satisfied."

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Hell (Hebrew, shᵉʼôwl', H7585): This term, often translated as "grave," "pit," or "hell," refers to the underworld or the realm of the dead in the Old Testament. It is depicted as a vast, subterranean place that receives all who die. The imagery here emphasizes its boundless capacity, continually swallowing souls without ever being filled, serving as a powerful metaphor for an endless void.
  • full (Hebrew, sâbaʻ', H7646): This verb means "to sate," "to fill to satisfaction," or "to have enough." Its negation ("never full" or "never satisfied") highlights an unending, unquenchable capacity or desire. When applied to the "eyes of man," it underscores the idea that human longing can never reach a point of ultimate contentment through external means.
  • eyes (Hebrew, ʻayin', H5869): While literally referring to the organ of sight, "eyes" in this context is a powerful synecdoche representing the entirety of human desire, longing, perception, and covetousness. It symbolizes the outward-focused appetite that constantly scans for more to acquire, experience, or possess, reflecting the inner state of wanting and the insatiable nature of human ambition.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Hell and destruction are never full": This clause establishes a vivid and stark metaphor, personifying "Hell" (Sheol) and "destruction" (Abaddon) as entities with an insatiable appetite. They are depicted as continually consuming but never reaching a state of satiety, powerfully conveying the idea of an endless void or an unfillable capacity. This sets the stage for the direct comparison to human nature that follows.
  • "so the eyes of man are never satisfied": This clause draws a direct and profound comparison, employing synthetic parallelism ("so"). Just as the grave's capacity to absorb is limitless, so too is the longing and craving of humanity. The "eyes of man" symbolize not merely literal sight, but the entire scope of human desire, ambition, and covetousness. This desire, when left unchecked and directed towards finite things, is depicted as a bottomless pit, perpetually seeking more and never finding ultimate contentment in what it acquires or experiences.

Literary Devices

The proverb primarily employs Synthetic Parallelism, where the second line expands upon and completes the thought of the first. Here, the insatiability of the grave and destruction is directly paralleled with the insatiability of human desire, providing a profound moral and spiritual lesson. Metaphor and Symbolism are central to the proverb's impact; "Hell and destruction" serve as a powerful metaphor for an endless, consuming void, symbolizing the ultimate limitlessness of absorption. Similarly, "the eyes of man" functions as a Synecdoche and Symbol for the entire scope of human longing, ambition, and covetousness, representing the inner state of perpetual wanting. The repeated concept of "never full" and "never satisfied" also incorporates an element of Hyperbole, emphasizing the extreme and unending nature of the described phenomena, thereby underscoring the deep-seated problem of human discontent.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This proverb speaks profoundly to the human condition, revealing a fundamental theological truth: the human heart, created for infinite satisfaction in God, remains restless and insatiable when it seeks fulfillment in finite things. The "eyes of man" represent the soul's deep longing, which, when misdirected towards worldly possessions, power, or pleasure, becomes an endless and frustrating pursuit, mirroring the unfillable void of the grave. This insatiability is a symptom of humanity's fallen nature, which constantly seeks to fill a God-shaped void with created things, leading to perpetual dissatisfaction. True contentment, therefore, can only be found in a right relationship with the Creator, who alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the soul and provide the eternal fulfillment that earthly pursuits can never offer.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Proverbs 27:20 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to examine the true source of our satisfaction and the nature of our desires. In a world constantly pushing for more—more possessions, more experiences, more recognition—this proverb reminds us that such pursuits are ultimately like trying to fill a bottomless pit. The relentless cycle of wanting, acquiring, and then wanting again leaves us perpetually unfulfilled, often leading to anxiety, envy, and spiritual emptiness. True contentment is not found in the accumulation of external things, but in cultivating an inner disposition of gratitude, generosity, and trust in God's provision. It challenges us to shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, and more importantly, to whom we belong. By recognizing the futility of insatiable earthly desires, we are called to reorient our hearts towards eternal values and the spiritual nourishment that truly satisfies the soul, finding peace in God's sufficiency rather than the world's fleeting promises.

Questions for Reflection

  • What are the "bottomless pits" in my own life—the desires or pursuits that seem to consume endless energy but never bring lasting satisfaction?
  • How does societal pressure or consumer culture contribute to an insatiable desire for "more" in my life, and how can I resist its pull?
  • In what practical ways can I cultivate a spirit of contentment and gratitude in my daily life, counteracting the urge for endless acquisition?
  • Where do I truly seek my deepest satisfaction and fulfillment? Is it in God, or in the fleeting pleasures and possessions of the world?

FAQ

Does "Hell" in this proverb refer to the eternal place of punishment?

Answer: No, in Proverbs 27:20, the Hebrew word translated "Hell" is shᵉʼôwl (Sheol), which in the Old Testament generally refers to the grave or the realm of the dead, the common destination for all humanity after death. It is depicted as a vast, shadowy underworld that continually receives the deceased without ever being filled. It does not carry the specific theological meaning of a place of eternal conscious torment as "Hell" often does in later Christian theology, particularly concerning the New Testament concept of Gehenna. The proverb uses Sheol metaphorically to illustrate an insatiable capacity, not to describe a place of divine retribution. This understanding is consistent with how Sheol is used throughout the Old Testament.

What is meant by "the eyes of man"?

Answer: "The eyes of man" is a powerful figure of speech (synecdoche) that represents the entirety of human longing, desire, ambition, and covetousness. It symbolizes the outward-directed appetite of the soul that constantly observes, evaluates, and craves what it sees. It's not just about literal sight but about the inner disposition that drives people to seek more, whether it's wealth, power, pleasure, knowledge, or recognition. The proverb suggests that this innate human desire, when unchecked or misdirected, is inherently boundless and can never be truly satisfied by finite, worldly things. This concept is further explored in Ecclesiastes 1:8, which states, "the eye is not satisfied with seeing."

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Proverbs 27:20, with its stark portrayal of insatiable human desire, finds its ultimate answer and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "bottomless pit" of human longing, which earthly pursuits can never fill, is precisely the void that Christ came to satisfy. He declared Himself to be the bread of life, proclaiming, "Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." This speaks directly to the spiritual hunger and thirst that no amount of worldly acquisition can quench. Just as the Samaritan woman at the well sought satisfaction in fleeting relationships, Jesus offered her living water that would cause her never to thirst again. The endless striving described in Proverbs is redeemed by Christ's invitation to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, promising that all other necessary things will be added. In Him, believers find true contentment, learning to be satisfied in all circumstances, as articulated by Paul in Philippians 4:11-13. The insatiable "eyes of man" are finally satisfied when they behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as the ultimate treasure and the source of fullness of joy and eternal pleasures that transcend all earthly desires.

Copy as

Commentary on Proverbs 27 verse 20

20 ¶ Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Two things are here said to be insatiable, and they are two things near of kin - death and sin. 1. Death is insatiable. The first death, the second death, both are so. The grave is not clogged with the multitude of dead bodies that are daily thrown into it, but is still an open sepulchre, and cries, Give, give. Hell also has enlarged itself, and still has room for the damned spirits that are committed to that prison. Tophet is deep and large, Isa 30:33. 2. Sin is insatiable: The eyes of man are never satisfied, nor the appetites of the carnal mind towards profit or pleasure. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is he the loves silver satisfied with silver. Men labour for that which surfeits, but satisfies not; nay, it is dissatisfying; but satisfies not; nay, it is dissatisfying; such a perpetual uneasiness have men justly been doomed to ever since our first parents were not satisfied with all the trees of Eden, but they must meddle with the forbidden tree. Those whose eyes are ever toward the Lord in him are satisfied, and shall for ever be so.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verse 20. Public domain.
Copy as
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Proverbs
Hell and destruction will not be full, etc. The torments of hell will not be filled, by receiving an end; similarly, the intentions of those who are wise in human matters are insatiable in the desire to sin. And hence they pay the penalties without end because they had the will to sin without end, if they had the nature to live without end.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Proverbs 27:20 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.