The big picture
Proverbs 21 opens in verse 1 with “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD , as the rivers of water: he turneth it…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 16 with “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation…”, and closes in verse 31 with “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD .” Repeated or prominent terms include wicked, LORD, wise, judgment, proud. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Proverbs · King James Version · 31Proverbs 21:1-8
1–8: The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD , as the rivers of water: he…
Proverbs 21:1–8 opens with “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD , as the rivers of water: he turneth it…” and reaches “The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 21 develops its own movement around wicked, LORD, wise, judgment, proud, with particular weight carried by LORD, heart, judgment.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD , as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” The line’s distinctive content terms include hand, heart, king’s. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 21:1-8
King James Version1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD , as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
Proverbs 21:9-16
9–16: It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling…
Proverbs 21:9–16 opens with “It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.” and reaches “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 21 develops its own movement around wicked, LORD, wise, judgment, proud, with particular weight carried by wicked, house, wise.
Context that brings the passage to life
“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.” The line’s distinctive content terms include better, brawling, corner. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 21:9-16
King James Version9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Proverbs 21:17-24
17–24: He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil…
Proverbs 21:17–24 opens with “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” and reaches “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 21 develops its own movement around wicked, LORD, wise, judgment, proud, with particular weight carried by keepeth, loveth, proud.
Context that brings the passage to life
“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Proverbs 21:17-24
King James Version17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
Proverbs 21:25-31
25–31: The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Proverbs 21:25–31 opens with “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” and reaches “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD .” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 21 develops its own movement around wicked, LORD, wise, judgment, proud, with particular weight carried by wicked, LORD, abomination.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
Proverbs 21:25-31
King James Version25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD .
31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD .
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Proverbs 21:1 begins with “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD , as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”
Where the chapter turns
Proverbs 21:27 forms a natural hinge: “The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?”
The final note
Proverbs 21:31 leaves the reader with “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD .”
A word trail through the chapter
The words wicked, LORD, wise, judgment, proud, righteous help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How is God's faithfulness shown in both halves of the family?
Isaac is born as promised, and Ishmael is heard and preserved with a future of his own.
Why does a well deserve narrative space?
Water sustains life and makes residence possible in a land Abraham does not yet own.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.