Proverbs 25:21 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is teaching that we should show kindness and meet the basic needs of even those who oppose us.

📚 Historical Context

This proverb was written during Solomon's reign when Israel was establishing wisdom literature for righteous living. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, hospitality was sacred, but extending it to enemies was revolutionary. This teaching challenged the common 'eye for an eye' mentality and promoted a higher standard of moral behavior.

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Explore Similar Verses

Romans 12:20

So if your enemy is hungry, feed them. If they're thirsty, give them something to drink. When you do this, you're basically putting burning coals on their head — meaning your kindness will make them feel the weight of how they've treated you.

Deuteronomy 28:48

So you will serve your enemies that the LORD will send against you. You'll be hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking everything you need. He will put a heavy iron collar around your neck until you are completely destroyed.

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