Lesson 117: Proverbs 25:21
Lesson 117: Proverbs 25:21
Proverbs 25:21
The Blueprint — The Verse
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Memorization Practice
Click words to hide them and test your memory.
Without looking, enter the book, chapter, and verse for this passage.
Rate your recall:
Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Context — The History
Proverbs 25 collects Solomon's proverbs copied in Hezekiah's era. Retaliatory justice was common in the ancient world; wisdom taught counterintuitive kindness that could shame an enemy into peace.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
This instruction appears among royal sayings about self-control and speech. Feeding a hungry enemy mirrors later teaching of Jesus and Paul about overcoming evil with good.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
-
Proverbs 25:20
As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Proverbs 25:20) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
-
Proverbs 25:22
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Proverbs 25:22) to continue the passage.
Discussion
-
How does serving an enemy test your faith?
-
What practical kindness can you show someone difficult?
-
Why might kindness be 'burning coals' on an enemy's head?