Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 21:18–20

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

3 selected · 7 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

14 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 18

  1. Proverbs 11:8Rank 1 from verse 18
    Open

    8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

  2. Isaiah 43:3–4Rank 2 from verse 18
    Open

    3For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

    4Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

  3. Isaiah 53:4–5Rank 3 from verse 18
    Open

    4¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

    5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

  4. 1 Peter 3:18Rank 4 from verse 18
    Open

    18For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

  5. Isaiah 55:8–9Rank 5 from verse 18
    Open

    8¶ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

    9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

From verse 19

  1. Proverbs 21:9Rank 1 from verse 19
    Open

    9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

  2. Psalms 55:6–7Rank 2 from verse 19
    Open

    6And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

    7Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.

  3. Psalms 120:5–6Rank 3 from verse 19
    Open

    5Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

    6My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

  4. Jeremiah 9:2Rank 4 from verse 19
    Open

    2Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

From verse 20

  1. Matthew 25:3–4Rank 1 from verse 20
    Open

    3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

    4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

  2. Ecclesiastes 5:19Rank 2 from verse 20
    Open

    19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

  3. Psalms 112:3Rank 3 from verse 20
    Open

    3Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

  4. Ecclesiastes 7:11Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    11¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

  5. Proverbs 15:6Rank 5 from verse 20
    Open

    6In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:18

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ransom

↗

Sense 1: A price or payment for release or deliverance. Sense 2: As a verb, to redeem, rescue, or deliver.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

righteous

↗

Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

upright

↗

1. Honest, just, or morally right; also a person so characterized. 2. Straight, erect, or standing up.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:19

COMBINED MEANING

better

↗

Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wilderness

↗

Uncultivated, desolate, sparsely inhabited, or uninhabited land; a desert, wild country, or solitary region.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 21:20

COMBINED MEANING

treasure

↗

Sense 1: Valuable things or provisions stored; a specially valued possession. Sense 2: An inward store from which something is brought forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

desired

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of desire, meaning to wish for, long for, request, or take pleasure in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

oil

↗

1. An oily substance, especially olive oil. 2. To anoint or supply with oil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dwelling

↗

Sense 1: Residing, remaining, or abiding. Sense 2: A habitation, home, resting place, or territory.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spendeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of spend. Sense 1: To use, expend, consume, or give out. Sense 2: To pass time or life in a stated manner.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Proverbs 21:17–21

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

21:17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

21:18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

Selected passage

21:19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

21:21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.