Proverbs 27:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.

NIV: Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes.

NASB: Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, Nor are the eyes of a person ever satisfied.

CSB: Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and people's eyes are never satisfied.

NLT: Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.

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

NKJV: Hell and Destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.

No matter how much death and destruction occur, there can always be more. There is no limit to how many people can die; in the poetic sense, death's appetite is infinite. Death does not slow down because it becomes "full." Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) uses this comparison to point out the insatiable nature of human greed. No matter how much we have, we can always desire "more." This relates to biblical ideas such as the "lust of the eyes" (1 John 2:16). Later proverbs will make similar comments about insatiable greed (Proverbs 30:15–16).

The word sheol is used in the Old Testament as a reference to the grave, or to death. Abaddon means "destruction." and a Greek version of the word is used in the New Testament. There, it applies to the demon king of "the abyss" where evil spirits are kept (Romans 10:7; Revelation 9:1–2; 9:11The same terms are also used in Proverbs 15:11, to point out that God's knowledge is limitless.

Solomon himself went through a period when he looked for meaning in feeding his appetites. He applied his heart to knowledge but wasn't satisfied (Ecclesiastes 1:18). He tried to find satisfaction in wealth but learned that money could not satisfy his heart. He writes in Ecclesiastes 4:8 that a person's eyes "are never satisfied with riches." He concludes later that it is best to follow God's plans from the beginning (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Psalm 16:11 concurs with Solomon's conclusion by stating, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Wise sayings from this chapter warn about overconfidence and bragging. Solomon also encourages positive friendships and the wisdom they provide. He offers several notes about self-examination and the need for personal accountability. Many of the proverbs in this passage touch on the concept of speaking truth in love, even if it's not what the other person would like to hear. The end of the chapter uses the example of livestock to make a point about good stewardship.

This continues a collection of approximately one hundred proverbs associated with Solomon. King Hezekiah's men, probably his scribes, copied these from other scrolls (Proverbs 25:1). This chapter includes references to overconfidence, the value of friendships, and the importance of good stewardship. The assembly of Solomon's wise teachings continues through the end of chapter 29.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.