Proverbs 21:17
Proverbs 21:17 in Multiple Translations
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth.
If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.
Hee that loueth pastime, shalbe a poore man: and he that loueth wine and oyle, shall not be riche.
Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
Those who spend their money to buy ◄things that give them pleasure/things that cause them to feel happy► will become poor; those who love to spend money to buy wine and nice/fancy food [MTY] will never become rich.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 21:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 21:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִ֣ישׁ
מַ֭חְסוֹר
אֹהֵ֣ב
שִׂמְחָ֑ה
אֹהֵ֥ב
יַֽיִן
וָ֝/שֶׁ֗מֶן
לֹ֣א
יַעֲשִֽׁיר
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
מַ֭חְסוֹר
machçôwr
H4270
need
N-ms
אֹהֵ֣ב
ʼâhab
H157
to love
V-Qal
שִׂמְחָ֑ה
simchâh
H8057
joy
N-fs
אֹהֵ֥ב
ʼâhab
H157
to love
V-Qal
יַֽיִן
yayin
H3196
wine
N-ms
וָ֝/שֶׁ֗מֶן
shemen
H8081
oil
Conj | N-ms
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יַעֲשִֽׁיר
ʻâshar
H6238
to enrich
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 21:17
אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
מַ֭חְסוֹר
machçôwr
H4270
"need"
N-ms
This word describes a lack or shortage of something, like a need for food or money. It is used in the Bible to describe poverty and want. In Deuteronomy 15:8, God commands the Israelites to lend to those in need.
Definition: 1) need, poverty, thing needed 1a) need, thing needed 1b) lack, want 1c) need, poverty
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: lack, need, penury, poor, poverty, want. See also: Deuteronomy 15:8; Proverbs 11:24; Psalms 34:10.
אֹהֵ֣ב
ʼâhab
H157
"to love"
V-Qal
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Definition: : lover 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
Usage: Occurs in 195 OT verses. KJV: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. See also: Genesis 22:2; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 4:3.
שִׂמְחָ֑ה
simchâh
H8057
"joy"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means joy or gladness, often used to describe a happy occasion or celebration, like a festival. It's used in the Bible to express God's joy and pleasure. In the KJV, it's translated as joy, gladness, or mirth.
Definition: 1) joy, mirth, gladness 1a) mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure 1b) joy (of God) 1c) glad result, happy issue
Usage: Occurs in 89 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice(-ing). See also: Genesis 31:27; Psalms 106:5; Psalms 4:8.
אֹהֵ֥ב
ʼâhab
H157
"to love"
V-Qal
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Definition: : lover 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
Usage: Occurs in 195 OT verses. KJV: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. See also: Genesis 22:2; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 4:3.
יַֽיִן
yayin
H3196
"wine"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for wine, 'yayin', refers to fermented wine and its effects, including intoxication. It is often mentioned in the Bible in the context of banquets and feasts, such as in the book of Esther.
Definition: wine
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber). See also: Genesis 9:21; Proverbs 20:1; Psalms 60:5.
וָ֝/שֶׁ֗מֶן
shemen
H8081
"oil"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for oil, often referring to olive oil, which was highly valued in ancient times. It symbolizes richness, anointing, and healing, and is used in various biblical contexts, including rituals and medicinal practices.
Definition: 1) fat, oil 1a) fat, fatness 1b) oil, olive oil 1b1) as staple, medicament or unguent 1b2) for anointing 1c) fat (of fruitful land, valleys) (metaph)
Usage: Occurs in 176 OT verses. KJV: anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine. See also: Genesis 28:18; Deuteronomy 8:8; Psalms 23:5.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יַעֲשִֽׁיר
ʻâshar
H6238
"to enrich"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to become or make rich, often describing financial prosperity or wealth, as seen in the story of Solomon's riches in 1 Kings 10. It is translated as 'to be rich' or 'enrich' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to be or become rich or wealthy, enrich, pretend to be rich 1a) (Qal) to be or become rich 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make rich 1b2) to gain riches 1c) (Hithpael) to enrich oneself, pretend to be rich
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: be(-come, en-, make, make self, wax) rich, make (1 Kings 22:48 marg). See H6240 (עָשָׂר). See also: Genesis 14:23; Proverbs 13:7; Psalms 49:17.
Study Notes — Proverbs 21:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 21:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:17
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
- Sermons on Proverbs 21:17
Context — The King’s Heart
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. 19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 23:21 | For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags. |
| 2 | 1 Timothy 5:6 | But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive. |
| 3 | 2 Timothy 3:4 | traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, |
| 4 | Proverbs 5:10–11 | lest strangers feast on your wealth, and your labors enrich the house of a foreigner. At the end of your life you will groan when your flesh and your body are spent, |
| 5 | Luke 15:13–16 | After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing. |
| 6 | Luke 16:24–25 | So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. |
| 7 | Proverbs 21:20 | Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. |
Proverbs 21:17 Summary
This verse teaches us that when we love pleasure and worldly things too much, it can lead to poverty. It's not that enjoying some wine or oil is bad, but when we make these things our main focus, we can miss out on the true riches that come from following God's ways. As it says in Proverbs 19:17, when we trust in God and prioritize His kingdom, He will provide for us and give us true wealth. By keeping our eyes on God and His wisdom, we can avoid the poverty that comes from loving the wrong things and instead find fulfillment and joy in Him, as seen in Psalm 37:4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to love pleasure in the context of Proverbs 21:17?
Loving pleasure in this verse refers to prioritizing worldly desires and fleeting joys over a life of wisdom and righteousness, as seen in Proverbs 10:23, where it is written that foolishness is joy to him who lacks sense.
Is it wrong to enjoy wine and oil, as mentioned in the verse?
While the Bible does not condemn the moderate enjoyment of wine and oil, the emphasis here is on excessive love for these things, which can lead to poverty and lack of true riches, as warned in Proverbs 23:20-21 and supported by the principle in 1 Timothy 5:23.
How does this verse relate to being rich or poor?
The verse teaches that a life focused on loving pleasure and worldly excess will ultimately lead to poverty, while a life of wisdom and righteousness can lead to true riches, as seen in Proverbs 22:1, where a good name is considered better than great riches.
What is the spiritual implication of this verse?
Spiritually, this verse implies that our priorities and loves have consequences, and that loving the things of the world can lead to spiritual poverty, whereas loving God and His ways leads to true wealth and fulfillment, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 12:15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be prioritizing pleasure over wisdom and righteousness?
- How do I balance enjoying the blessings of God with avoiding excessive love for worldly things?
- What does it mean for me to 'love pleasure' in my daily life, and how can I redirect my affections towards loving God and His ways?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for my needs and prioritize His kingdom above worldly riches, as taught in Matthew 6:33?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:17
He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man,.... Or "sport" (c) and pastime, music and dancing, cards and dice, hunting and hawking, and other sensual gratifications; a man that indulges himself in
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:17
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. He that loveth wine and oil - i:e., unguents used to anoint the person at banquets (Ecclesiastes 9:7-9).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
He that loveth pleasure, that gives up himself to the pursuit and enjoyment of sensual and immoderate pleasures, shall be a poor man; takes the ready course to poverty. Wine and oil are put for all delicious fare and luxurious feasting; for wine and oil were much used in feasts in those parts.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
Proverbs 21:17 He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.Ver. 17. He that loveth pleasure, &c.] Luxury is attended by beggary. Pleasure may be had, but not loved. Isaac loved venison a little better haply than he should; Esau loved hunting, hence he grew profane, and though not a beggar, yet worse. The prodigal in the gospel "spent his substance with riotous living"; so did Apicius the Roman, who, hearing that there were seven hundred crowns only remaining of a vast estate that his father had left him, feared want, and hanged himself. Marcus Livius, another goods waster, boasted when he died that he had left nothing for his heir, praeter coelum et caenum, more than air and mire. Roger Ascham, schoolmaster to Queen Elizabeth, and her secretary for the Latin tongue, being too much addicted to dicing and cock fighting, lived and died a poor man. Seneca. Valer. Camden’ s Elizab.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
(17) Wine and oil.—The accompaniments of a feast. The oil, or precious unguents, were poured over the head (comp. Psalms 23:5). It was the excessive love and gratitude of the two Marys (Luke 7:38; John 12:3) which prompted them to anoint the Lord’s feet. These perfumes were sometimes of great value, the “pound of ointment of spikenard” (John 12:3) was worth “more than three hundred pence” (£10 12s. 6d.), the wages of a day labourer (Matthew 20:2) for nearly a year.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
Verse 17. He that loveth pleasure] That follows gaming, fowling, hunting, coursing, c., when he should be attending to the culture of the fields, shall be a poor man and, I may safely add, shall be so deservedly poor, as to have none to pity him.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:17
17. wine and oil] “The costly adjuncts of a princely banquet. Among these the oil, or precious unguent, was always most conspicuous (Psalms 23:5; Psalms 45:7, and especially Wis 2:7). And when we consider its price, the 300 denarii of Joh 12:5, the 300 days’ wages of a field labourer, (Matthew 20:2), we can well understand how indulgence in such a luxury would become the type of all extravagance and excess.” Speaker’s Comm. ad loc.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:17
Wine and oil - i. e., The costly adjuncts of a princely banquet. The price of oil or precious unguent was about equal to the 300 days’ wages of a field laborer Matthew 20:2.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
17. He that loveth pleasure — “Pastime,” (Geneva,) enjoyment, particularly of the appetite. A poor man — Literally, a man of want, a needy man.
Sermons on Proverbs 21:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Price of Pleasure by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God and highlights the struggle between worldly pleasures and spiritual fulfillment. It warns against being drawn away from |
|
The Rich and the Poor Part 2 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of not making pleasure our god and seeking fulfillment in material possessions. He warns that those who love pleasure a |
|
Lovers of Pleasure Described and Warned. by Edward Payson | Edward Payson preaches about the dangers of being lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, highlighting how this character is viewed unfavorably by God, as seen in the Bible. H |
|
|
A Prisoner of Appetite Is Unhealthy Eating a Sin? by Shane Idleman | This sermon addresses the importance of taking care of our bodies and avoiding unhealthy eating habits, focusing on the struggle to resist temptations and the need to prioritize ph |
|
Sunday Night Meditations 05 Message and Song - 1950's by Welcome Detweiler | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the well-known story from Luke's Gospel, chapter 15, about a father and his two sons. The younger son represents the average, unregenerate m |
|
Drinking - What John R. Rice Wrote About It by John R. Rice | John R. Rice preaches about the curses of alcoholism, emphasizing the woes pronounced on the crown of pride and the drunkards of Ephraim in the Bible. He highlights the detrimental |
|
Matthew 4:8-11. the Third Temptation of Christ. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the persistence of Satan in tempting us, using examples from the Bible where individuals resisted one temptation but fell into another. He emphas |