Proverbs 27:20 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 27:20 mean?

Proverbs 27:20 says that just as the grave and destruction are never satisfied or full, the desires of people are also never completely satisfied. The verse uses a vivid comparison to show that human longing and craving can be endless.

In the book of Proverbs, these sayings are often presented as wise observations about life, spoken from a teacher or sage to a listener seeking wisdom. Here, the verse points out a universal truth about human nature: people always seem to want more, whether it is wealth, pleasure, or experiences, much like how the grave never stops accepting the dead.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 27:20

• "Hell" (שְׁאוֹל, she'ol): This word often refers to the grave or the realm of the dead, not a place of fiery punishment. It emphasizes the idea of a place that is never filled up.
• "Destruction" (אֲבַדּוֹן, avaddon): This word means ruin or destruction, sometimes used as a poetic way to talk about death or the place where things are lost forever. It adds to the sense of something that is never satisfied.
• "Satisfied" (שָׂבַע, sava): This word means to be full or content. The verse uses it to highlight that just as the grave is never "full," neither are human eyes—meaning our desires or wants.

Why Proverbs 27:20 matters

• Proverbs 27:20 clears up the idea that people can ever be fully satisfied by what they see or gain; it suggests there is always a longing for more.
• The verse emphasizes a common human struggle with contentment, warning that chasing after more can be endless and unfulfilling.
• This proverb fits into a larger theme in Proverbs about the dangers of unchecked desire and the wisdom of recognizing our limits.