Proverbs 27:20 - GNT - Human desires are like the world of the dead - the... (2024)

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What is the meaning of Proverbs 27 verse 20? ›

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.

Proverbs 27:20 GNT

Human desires are like the world of the dead—there is always room for more.

We are told to suppress the desires of the flesh, to prevent our sinful desires from emerging to the forefront of our lives. We are told to be wary of our human desires lest they interfere with the desire God has for us.

20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. 20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man. 20 Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.

Arrogance of any kind is risky. Solomon notes how difficult it is to endure attacks from foolish, persistent people. In contrast, genuine love is shown by speaking the truth (Proverbs 27:1–6). Further wisdom explains the value of close friends, who can be even more helpful than blood relatives in a time of crisis.

In the Hebrew Bible, abaddon is used with reference to a bottomless pit, often appearing alongside the place Sheol (שְׁאוֹל Šəʾōl), meaning the resting place of dead peoples.

Desires are ever-present drivers of our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Understanding the underlying Desires of our needs, wants and behaviors helps us understand WHY we make the choices we do.

While the two words are often used interchangeably, the primary distinction between soul and spirit in man is that the soul is the animate life, or the seat of the senses, desires, affections, and appetites. The spirit is that part of us that connects, or refuses to connect, to God.

Jean-Paul Sartre, “The Desire to be God (1)” from Existentialism and Human Emotions (New York: The Wisdom Library, 1957), pp. 59-62.

He Hears Your Prayers

Whatever it is you are wanting, whatever you are asking Him for, He hears you. If He does not seem to be answering, do not give up. Everything will happen in His timing. God knows what is best for you and He hears the desires of your heart.

What do proverbs say about desires? ›

ESV A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. NIV A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.

Micah 6:8 is a clear, crisp, and simple summary of what God expects from you and me. These three things that matter so much to God are the three things God wants to see in us: justice, kindness, and humility. To act justly is to treat people fairly and respectfully. You do not oppress or mistreat others.

Proverb for the Day 27:20 — Never Enough!!!

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes. This wise saying offers an interesting comparison between “death and destruction” — two forces of the natural world — and “human eyes.” The point is that all three are “never satisfied.”

27 God is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out. 28 Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity. 29 Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age.

The first interpretation is that subjecting a man to praise is like placing precious metals in a crucible. How that person reacts reveals their purity and true nature. The one who responds to compliments with arrogance or egotism reveals character flaws. The person who accepts praise with humility shows no such errors.

Like a piece of hard iron will sharpen another piece of iron, the interactions between two people will shape and change one another. Most scholars and theologians interpret this changing as a refinement of character. Being in the presence of a strong believer can help refine another person.

When Paul speaks of the "foolishness of God," he is not implying that God is foolish. Rather he is saying that since God's way of reasoning is in accord with things of the spirit, it confounds the reasoning of this world. It is wiser than human reasoning, because spiritual things are wiser than carnal ones.

It means commitment out of a passionate love. This kind of friendship brings something into your life that mere obligation cannot bring, and therefore nothing else comes close to a true friend.

To be poor in spirit is to be emptied in the depth of our being, so that the Lord may fill us with Himself. To be pure in heart means to be single in purpose, having a single goal in accomplishing God's will for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31).