Proverbs 21:20

Pro 21:20 [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Ver. 20. There is a treasure to be desired.] He had said before, He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. Here he shows, that though these things may not be loved or lavished, yet they may and must be had and heaped up in a way of good husbandry for necessity, yea, for honest affluence; that we may not only live, but live comfortably; that we may not only have prisoner’s pittance, so much as will keep us alive, but that we may have plenty of things desirable, both for profit, as treasure, and for delight, as oil. And these things must not be foolishly wasted, as they are usually by unthrifts, lest that make the wife that wants angry and unquiet, as in the former verse.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro_21:20

There is treasure to be desired . . . in the dwelling of the wise.

Treasure in the house; or proverbs of home-life

One simple Saxon word has talismanic power over every heart. That word is home. Who of us can forget our home and home-life in the past? We are now what our mothers made us in that far-off time of childhood. Great are the responsibilities of home-life, for it is the seedtime of the eternal harvest. God Himself instituted the family relationship as one of His antidotes for Satans various enticements. Terrible is the vengeance God exacts for the violation of His laws of love. Education cannot be confined to the school, academy, or college. The true educators are the street and the home. God has given to parents a mighty instrument for good in the family relationship. But home-life and home-lessons will avail little without home-love. And there should be real and attractive pleasures by the fireside and round the home-table. Obedience, truth, and love will give us treasure in the house, and will clothe us with the ornaments of grace in our earthly homes. The same qualities of mind and temper exercised towards the great All-Father in heaven will make us meet for the house above, and lay up for us there treasures that shall never fail. (Wm. Stevens Perry, D. D.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Pro 21:20. There is a treasure, &c., in the dwelling of the wise — Wise men lay up all necessary and desirable treasures for their own use and for their families. Oil is particularly mentioned, because it was a considerable part of their wealth and treasures in those countries; but a foolish man spendeth it — Or, as Houbigant renders the clause, A foolish man will dissipate these; or, as Schultens reads it, A foolish man, a man given to luxury and extravagance, absorbs it; “that is, all that desirable treasure and opulence which his wise and careful father had abundantly laid up.”

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Meaning, abundance of all things.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Note, 1. Those that are wise will increase what they have and live plentifully; their wisdom will teach them to proportion their expenses to their income and to lay up for hereafter; so that there is a treasure of things to be desired, and as much as needs be desired, a good stock of all things convenient, laid up in season, and particularly of oil, one of the staple commodities of Canaan, Deu 8:8. This is in the habitation, or cottage, of the wise; and it is better to have an old-fashioned house, and have it well furnished, than a fine modern one, with sorry housekeeping. God blesses the endeavors of the wise and then their houses are replenished. 2. Those that are foolish will misspend what they have upon their lusts, and so bring the stock they have to nothing. Those manage wretchedly that are in haste to spend what they had, but not in care which way to get more. Foolish children spend what their wise parents have laid up. One sinner destroys much good, as the prodigal son.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

The wise, by diligence and care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools

spend--literally, "swallow it up," greedily.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

20. spendeth] Lit. swalloweth, R.V. So LXX. καταπίονται; but Vulg. dissipabit.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

There is a treasure to be desired,.... 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, Mat 6:19;

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 industrious man, for the use of him and his family; even though he lived but in a "cottage", as the word (f) signifies this is an emblem of the grace of God, which is sometimes compared to oil; which a wise man is chiefly concerned, that it may be in his heart, in his house, and in his family;

but a foolish man spendeth it up; the oil; he swallows it up at once, as soon as he has got it, and wastes and lavishes away what his wise father had provided for him. This may refer not to oil only, but to the desired treasure, wealth, riches, substance of every sort, he is heir to and becomes possessed of; and which, in a spiritual sense, may be applied to a foolish wicked man, who misspends his time, neglects the means of grace, and all opportunities by which men grow rich and wise in spiritual things; see Mat 25:1.

(f) "tuguirolum", Mercerus, Gejerus.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

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 Mat 25:1-13.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Treasure of provisions. Temporal blessings were promised as a figure of more lasting ones, which are set before Christians.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Wise men lay up all necessary and desirable treasures for their own use, and for their children and families.

Oil is particularly mentioned, partly because that was a considerable part of their wealth and treasures in those countries, of which see Deu 7:13; 28:40,51; Jdg 9:9; Mic 5:15, &c.; and partly to show that his providence reached not only to necessaries, but even to matters of just and lawful delight.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

20. Treasure to be desired — All desirable stores, including oil, the emblem of abundance and comfort.

Dwelling — Abode or cottage. The word seems to imply comeliness, beauty.

Foolish man — Or, fool of a man, as in Pro_15:20.

Spendeth it up — Rather, swallows it down. The wise man uses prudently his stores, and has plenty; the fool lavishly devours them, and has nothing. In its spiritual application, compare the parable of the virgins, Mat_25:1-13.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise. Precious treasure and store of provision and rich unguents (ver. 17) are collected in the house of the wise man, by which he may fare sumptuously, exercise hospitality, and lay up for the future. (comp. Pro_24:4) But a foolish man spendeth it up. "A fool of a man" (Pro_15:20) soon swallows, runs through and exhausts, all that has been accumulated (ver. 17). Septuagint, "A desirable epiyumhto treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise, but foolish men will swallow it up." It is obvious to apply the maxim to spiritual things, seeing in it the truth that the really wise man stores up treasures of Divine love and the oil of God"s grace, while the foolish man wastes his opportunities, squanders his powers, and drives the Holy Spirit from him.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

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; Psa 19:11); and by שׁמן, mentioned by way of example, stores in kitchen and cellar are to be thought of, which serve him who lives luxuriously, and afford noble hospitality, - a fool of a man (כּסיל אדם, as at Pro 15:20), who finds this, devours it, i.e., quickly goes through it, makes, in short, a tabula rasa of it; cf. בּלע, Isa 28:4, with בּלּע, Sa2 20:26, and Pro 19:28. The suffix of יבלּענּוּ refers back to אוצר as the main idea, or distributively also both to the treasure and the oil. The lxx (θησαυρὸς ἐπιθυμητὸς) ἀναπαύσεται ἐπὶ στόματος σοφοῦ, i.e., ישׁכן בפה חכם, according to which Hitzig corrects; but the fool, he who swallows down "the precious treasure with a wise mouth," is a being we can scarcely conceive of. His taste is not at all bad; why then a fool? Is it perhaps because he takes more in than he can at one time digest? The reading of the lxx is corrected by 20b.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

To love an earthly treasure is the way to poverty. (Pro 21:17 .) Yet we may thankfully enjoy the prudent gathering, as the fruit of the LORD’s blessing (Pro 10:22 ), like the oil of Canaan,†1 for refreshment. This is not the forbidden "laying up for ourselves treasures upon earth" (Mat 6:19 ), a hoarding for selfishness and distrust of God. (Luk 12:16-22 .) This treasure is in the dwelling of the wise. For prudence is not worldliness (Pro 10:5 . Gen 41:48 ); an indifference to coming trial, is not faith, but foolish simplicity. (Pro 22:3 .)

Even the cottage of the godly poor often contains this desirable treasure, the reward of Christian diligence. Yet poor indeed is the palace, where the Bible with its stores of unsearchable riches is not the grand treasure, and where the oil of gladness, while it poureth out richly, is not his choicest comfort.†2 Wherever this treasure is pre-eminently prized, this is the dwelling of the wise, whether it be the prince or the pauper. And, as Cecil, Queen Elizabeth’s Secretary, said, on leaving Bernard Gilpin’s house — ’There dwells as much happiness as can be known on earth’ — how shall we joy to be found in the same world with such men!

But whatever be the treasure of the foolish man, or however obtained, his improvidence is a wide gulf to spend it up. All goes one way. Drunkenness, wasteful expenditure, idleness, gambling, devours it all. He serves a master, who will leave him nothing at the year’s end, and as the only reward of his drudgery, will bring him to utter destitution. Such was the prodigal’s course; yet in the gracious mercy of his Father the means of changing him from his folly into a better mind, and bringing him to the dwelling of the wise; a possessor of a treasure more desirable, than his earthly appetite had longed for. (Luk 15:13-24 .)

But there are other foolish men besides the drunkard and the spend-thrift; and other treasure infinitely more desirable, that is spent up. Admission to the dwelling of the wise — the opportunity of thus growing rich in knowledge and holiness (Pro 13:20 ) — what a "price would it be in the hands of a fool," had he but "an heart for it!" But the golden moment is lost; the treasure is spent up. Time is wasted in reckless frivolity of pursuit in innumerable ways. The entire absence of an holy aim in his daily employments deadens all sense of responsibility. He lives only as the creature of the present moment, with no object connected with eternity. Oh! my God! leave me not to my own folly, lest I spend up my treasure, instead of trading with it, and thus enlarging it for my best welfare.

Footnotes:

†1 See note on verse 17. (Note, This refers to a footnote on Pro 21:17, middle of the first paragraph at the end of this sentence: ",,, one of the most precious fruits of Canaan† ,,,". That footnote reads as follows: Deu 8:8 ; Deu 11:14 . Jdg 9:9 . Psa 23:5 . Mic 6:15 . Hab 3:17 .)

†2 Treasure and oil are mentioned; first the general term, then one of its valuable items. A similar idiom may be found, Mar 16:7 . (? Note to e-Sword users: This is an incorrect reference. Mar 16:17 reads: "But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you."

Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

v. 20. There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, because he will carefully lay up and increase wealth; but a foolish man spendeth it up, he is a spendthrift and a waster.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

but man’s foolishness Heb. וכסיל אדם foolishness of a man.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.