Proverbs 30:16

KJV

The grave; and the barren womb; the earth [that] is not filled with water; and the fire [that] saith not, [It is] enough.

KJV (with Strong's)

The grave {H7585}; and the barren {H6115} womb {H7356}; the earth {H776} that is not filled {H7646} with water {H4325}; and the fire {H784} that saith {H559} not, It is enough {H1952}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sh'ol and a barren womb; the earth, never satisfied with water; and fire, which never says, "Enough!"

Berean Standard Bible

Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’

American Standard Version

Sheol; and the barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that saith not, Enough.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 30:16, part of Agur's numerical proverb, presents four entities—the grave, the barren womb, the parched earth, and fire—that are characterized by an insatiable, unending appetite or desire. These natural phenomena serve as profound metaphors for the relentless and often destructive nature of unfulfilled longing and unchecked human craving, highlighting a universal principle of dissatisfaction that can only be truly addressed by divine wisdom and contentment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 30:16 is the conclusion of a numerical proverb initiated in [Proverbs 30:15](/proverbs/30-15 "Proverbs 30:15 - The Leech and Insatiable Things"), which states, "The leech has two daughters: 'Give! Give!' There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, 'Enough!'" This structure, common in wisdom literature, uses a numerical progression (three, yea, four) to build anticipation and emphasize a list of related observations, often leading to a deeper moral or theological insight. Agur, the author of this section, frequently employs such poetic devices to encapsulate profound truths about human nature and the created order, inviting the reader to reflect on the boundless nature of certain desires. The preceding verses in [Proverbs 30](/proverbs/30 "Proverbs 30 - The Words of Agur") often deal with themes of divine wisdom, human folly, and the dangers of pride and greed, setting the stage for the insatiable forces described here.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery in Proverbs 30:16 is deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern context. The **grave** (Sheol) represented the universal destination of all humanity, a realm from which there was no return, perpetually receiving the dead. The **barren womb** was a source of immense sorrow and social stigma in ancient Israel, where fertility was seen as a divine blessing and a large family ensured lineage and security. The longing for children was profound and often agonizing, as seen in the narratives of Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel. The **earth that is not filled with water** speaks to the reality of an arid climate where water was precious and scarcity a constant threat; parched land could seemingly absorb endless amounts of rain without ever being fully saturated. Finally, **fire** was a powerful and ever-present force, used for warmth and cooking but also capable of immense destruction, consuming everything in its path as long as fuel was available, never declaring itself "satisfied." These elements were daily realities, making the metaphors immediately relatable and impactful.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is **insatiability** – the boundless, unending nature of certain phenomena, which serves as a powerful metaphor for human desires. The grave's endless capacity for the dead, the barren womb's perpetual longing for offspring, the parched earth's ceaseless thirst for water, and fire's relentless consumption all illustrate a fundamental principle of dissatisfaction. This theme extends to **human desire and greed**, suggesting that worldly pursuits—whether wealth, power, pleasure, or even knowledge—can become endless cravings that never truly satisfy the soul. This echoes the sentiment found in [Ecclesiastes 1:8](/ecclesiastes/1-8 "Ecclesiastes 1:8 - The Weariness of Endless Desire"), which observes, "All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." Furthermore, the inclusion of "the grave" touches upon the **mystery of life and death**, highlighting the inescapable reality of mortality and the underworld's constant demand, a concept also used in [Habakkuk 2:5](/habakkuk/2-5 "Habakkuk 2:5 - Insatiable Greed Compared to Sheol") to describe the insatiable greed of man, comparing it to Sheol that "enlarges its desire and is like death, it is never satisfied."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **grave (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** From the verb `shâʼal` (to ask, inquire), `shᵉʼôwl` refers to Hades or the world of the dead, often conceived as a subterranean retreat. It encompasses its accessories and inmates, signifying the universal destination of all humanity. In this context, it embodies an unending capacity, always ready to receive more, never declaring itself full.
* **barren (Hebrew, _ʻôtser'_):** Derived from `ʻâtsâr` (to shut up, restrain), `ʻôtser` literally means "closure" or "constraint." When applied to the womb, it denotes a state of being closed or restricted, hence "barren." This word powerfully conveys the deep, unfulfilled longing and the profound emptiness associated with the inability to bear children in ancient society.
* **enough (Hebrew, _hôwn'_):** From the same root as `hôwn` (wealth), this word implies sufficiency or abundance. In the context of "saith not, It is enough," `hôwn` signifies a state of complete satisfaction or satiety. The negation emphasizes the unending, unquenchable nature of the fire's consumption, mirroring the other elements in their perpetual demand.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The grave;":** This first element, referring to Sheol, immediately sets a somber tone, pointing to the ultimate and inescapable reality of death. The grave is personified as a greedy entity, perpetually open and never filled, constantly drawing humanity into its depths. It represents an insatiable appetite for life itself.
* **"and the barren womb;":** Following the grave, the barren womb introduces a different kind of insatiability—a profound, agonizing longing for new life. In a culture where fertility was paramount, a barren womb represented an unfulfilled desire, a deep emptiness that yearned to be filled, a perpetual state of wanting what cannot be had.
* **"the earth [that] is not filled with water;":** This vivid image speaks to the relentless thirst of dry, parched land. Despite absorbing seemingly limitless amounts of water, especially in arid regions, the earth can appear to remain unsatiated, always capable of taking more. It symbolizes a fundamental need that is never fully quenched.
* **"and the fire [that] saith not, [It is] enough.":** The final element, fire, is presented as an ever-consuming force. As long as it has fuel, it will continue to burn, spread, and destroy, never reaching a point of satiety or declaring itself satisfied. This highlights its destructive potential and its relentless, unceasing nature.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 30:16 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The entire verse is a prime example of a **numerical proverb**, a common form in wisdom literature (as introduced in [Proverbs 30:15](/proverbs/30-15 "Proverbs 30:15 - The Leech and Insatiable Things")), which lists "three things, yea, four" to emphasize a collection of related observations. **Personification** is central, particularly with "the grave" and "the fire [that] saith not, [It is] enough," attributing human qualities of desire and speech to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. This makes their insatiable nature more vivid and relatable. The four elements function as powerful **metaphors** for various forms of insatiable human desire—the grave for death's relentless claim, the barren womb for the longing for fulfillment, the parched earth for unquenchable thirst, and fire for destructive greed. The **juxtaposition** of these seemingly disparate elements from nature and human experience highlights a universal principle of unending appetite, creating a memorable and impactful teaching.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The insatiable nature of the four entities in Proverbs 30:16 serves as a profound theological commentary on the human condition apart from God. It speaks to the inherent emptiness and endless craving that characterizes a life seeking ultimate satisfaction in created things rather than the Creator. This relentless pursuit, whether of wealth, power, pleasure, or even knowledge, mirrors the grave's unending hunger or fire's ceaseless consumption, ultimately leading to dissatisfaction and spiritual barrenness. The proverb implicitly points to the fact that true contentment and fulfillment cannot be found in anything finite, but only in the infinite God who alone can satisfy the longing soul. This wisdom tradition consistently warns against the futility of chasing after "more" and encourages finding peace in divine sufficiency and wisdom.

* [Ecclesiastes 5:10](/ecclesiastes/5-10 "Ecclesiastes 5:10 - The Futility of Wealth") - "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."
* [Psalm 107:9](/psalms/107-9 "Psalm 107:9 - God Satisfies the Longing Soul") - "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Warning Against Covetousness") - "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 30:16 offers a powerful mirror for self-reflection, inviting us to examine the insatiable desires within our own hearts. These four natural examples serve as potent metaphors for aspects of human experience that, left unchecked, can lead to perpetual dissatisfaction and spiritual emptiness. We are challenged to identify where our own cravings—whether for material possessions, social status, power, or even approval—might be endless and destructive, consuming us without ever bringing true contentment. The proverb implicitly guides us towards recognizing that genuine satisfaction comes not from an endless acquisition of external things, but from an internal state of gratitude, humility, and a right relationship with God. It serves as a cautionary tale against the spiritual barrenness that results from unchecked greed and a relentless pursuit of "more," urging us to seek the wisdom that leads to true peace and sufficiency.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "insatiable" desires in your own life that seem to never be fully satisfied, no matter how much you acquire or achieve?**
* **How does the pursuit of these unending desires impact your spiritual well-being and your relationships with others?**
* **In what ways does this proverb challenge the modern consumerist mindset that constantly encourages us to want "more"?**
* **Where do you find true contentment and satisfaction that transcends the fleeting nature of worldly possessions or achievements?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the number four in this proverb?**

Answer: The numerical proverb structure, often "three things, yea, four," is a common literary device in wisdom literature, including [Proverbs 6:16](/proverbs/6-16 "Proverbs 6:16 - Six Things the Lord Hates, Yea, Seven") and [Proverbs 30:18](/proverbs/30-18 "Proverbs 30:18 - Three Things Too Wonderful, Yea, Four"). The "three" establishes a pattern, and the "four" completes or intensifies the list, often presenting the most significant or surprising item. In this case, it emphasizes the completeness of the observation about insatiability, highlighting that these are not isolated instances but a pervasive characteristic found in diverse aspects of existence. It draws the reader's attention to the profound truth being conveyed about the nature of unending desire.

**Why did Agur choose these specific four examples?**

Answer: Agur chose these four examples because they are powerful, tangible, and universally understood symbols of unending consumption or unfulfilled longing in the ancient world. The **grave** represents the ultimate, inescapable, and ever-present reality of death's claim. The **barren womb** symbolizes a deep, personal, and often agonizing unfulfilled desire for life and legacy. The **earth not filled with water** speaks to a fundamental, environmental need in an arid land, illustrating a thirst that seems bottomless. Finally, **fire** is a primal force of relentless consumption and destruction. Together, they illustrate a comprehensive spectrum of insatiability—from death's dominion to personal longing, from environmental need to destructive force—making the proverb's message profoundly resonant and applicable to human experience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 30:16, in its stark portrayal of insatiable desires, ultimately points to the profound satisfaction found only in Christ. The endless hunger of the grave, the barren womb's longing, the parched earth's thirst, and fire's unquenchable consumption all highlight humanity's desperate need for ultimate fulfillment. Jesus, however, declares Himself the answer to these deep-seated cravings. He is the one who conquered the grave, offering eternal life and resurrection, so that death no longer has the final word, as proclaimed in [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory"). For the barrenness of the soul, He offers spiritual fruitfulness and new life, transforming hearts that were once empty into vessels overflowing with His Spirit, as seen in the promise of the Spirit in [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit"). To the thirsty soul, He offers living water, promising that "whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst," but that "the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus Offers Living Water")). And where fire consumes without satisfaction, Christ offers Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing complete atonement and ending the destructive cycle of human sin and insatiable greed. In Him, all true satisfaction is found, and the soul finds its ultimate "enough."

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

Proverbs 27:20

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

Habakkuk 2:5

¶ Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, [he is] a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and [is] as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

Genesis 30:1

¶ And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.