Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 20:17 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: King James Version
" Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. "
Proverbs 20:17
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
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Sin can be pleasant at the moment it is committed. “Bread of deceit,” that is, wealth gained by fraud, lying, or oppression, may taste sweet to a person. In fact, sinful people often enjoy success in their wicked plans all the more because the gain is wrong. All the pleasures and profits of sin are like bread that deceives. They are stolen, because they come from what God forbids, and they deceive people because they are never as good as they first seem.
For a while, the sinner may roll that sweet morsel under the tongue and feel satisfied. He may even congratulate himself on his gain. But afterward it turns bitter in his thoughts. “His mouth shall be filled with gravel” means that, when conscience wakes up and he sees how he has been cheated, and when he fears God’s anger over his sin, the pleasure is gone and pain remains. The pleasures of sin last only for a season, and sorrow follows them. Some nations have punished criminals by mixing gravel with their bread, which gives a picture of how bitter sinful gain will finally feel.
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From This Chapter
Proverbs 20:1
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
Proverbs 20:2
"The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul."
Proverbs 20:3
"It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling."
Proverbs 20:4
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest,"
Proverbs 20:5
"Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out."
Proverbs 20:6
"Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?"
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