Bible/Proverbs/21

Proverbs 21:21

21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

KJV

Save image

He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.

21:22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

What does Proverbs 21:21 mean?

Proverbs 21:21 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include רָדַף (râdaph), צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh), חֵסֵד (chêçêd).

Hebrew interlinear

Full chapter interlinear →
He
that
followethרָדַףrâdaph/raw-daf'/H7291to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by)
after
righteousnessצְדָקָהtsᵉdâqâh/tsed-aw-kaw'/H6666rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
and
mercyחֵסֵדchêçêd/kheh'-sed/H2617kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
findethמָצָאmâtsâʼ/maw-tsaw'/H4672properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
life,חַיchay/khah'-ee/H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively
righteousness,צְדָקָהtsᵉdâqâh/tsed-aw-kaw'/H6666rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
and
honour.כָּבוֹדkâbôwd/kaw-bode'/H3519properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

Commentary on Proverbs 21:21

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 21:21
follow after righteousness and mercy, not to content ourselves with easy performances, but to do our duty with the utmost care and pains, as those that are pressing forward and in fear of coming short. We must both do justly and love mercy, and must proceed and persevere therein; and, though we cannot attain to perfection, yet it will be a comfort to us if we aim at it and follow after it. 2. What will be the advantage of doing so: Those that do follow after righteousness shall find righteousness; God will give them grace to do good, and they shall have the pleasure and comfort of doing it; those that make conscience of being just to others shall have the pleasure and comfort of doing it; those that make conscience of being just to others shall be justly dealt with by others and others shall be kind to them. The Jews followed after righteousness, and did not find it, because they sought amiss, Rom. ix. 31 . Otherwise, Seek and you shall find, and with it shall find both life and honour, everlasting life and honour, the crown of righteousness. 22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. Note, 1. Those that have power are apt

Topics

MercyRighteousness

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 21:21.

Genesis 19:19

Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

Genesis 2:20

And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. gave: Heb. called

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 21:21 say?

Proverbs 21:21 (King James Version) reads: "He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour."

Is Proverbs 21:21 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 21:21 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 21:21, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Proverbs 21:21
21:20Read all of Proverbs 2121:22