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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 49:20 A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/49-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/19_Psa_049_020.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 49:20 - The Evanescence of Wealth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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they will die, just like animals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/49.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/49.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/49.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Man <i>that is</i> in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts <i>that</i> perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/49.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A man <i>who is</i> in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts <i>that</i> perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/49.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Mankind in <i>its</i> splendor, yet without understanding, Is like the animals <i>that</i> perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/49.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, Is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/49.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Man in <i>his</i> pomp, yet without understanding, Is like the beasts that perish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/49.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Man in <i>his</i> honor, but <i>who</i> does not understand, Is like the animals that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/49.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A man [who is held] in honor, Yet who lacks [spiritual] understanding <i>and</i> a teachable heart, is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/49.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Mankind, with his assets but without understanding, is like the animals that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/49.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man with valuable possessions but without understanding is like the animals that perish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/49.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, Is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/49.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Our human glory disappears, and, like animals, we die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/49.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/49.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Mortals, with what they treasure, still don't have understanding. They are like animals that die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/49.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Our greatness cannot keep us from death; we will still die like the animals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/49.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Humanity, despite its conceit, does not understand that it will perish, just like the animals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/49.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/49.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Wealthy people do not understand; they are like animals that perish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/49.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/49.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/49.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/49.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Man in honor, who does not understand, "" Has been like the beasts, they have been cut off!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/49.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Man in honour, who understandest not, Hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/49.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Man in honor shall not understand; being like as the beasts, they perished.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/49.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Man when he was in honour did not understand: he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/49.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 48:21>Man, when he was in honor, did not understand. He has been compared to the senseless beasts, and he has become like them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/49.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In his prime, man does not understand. He is like the beasts—they perish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/49.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/49.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Man cannot depend upon his honor for consolation, for if he does, he resembles the wild beasts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/49.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A man who is in his honor is not sustained, but ends up an animal and resembles one. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/49.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Man that is in honour understandeth not; He is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/49.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Man that is in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/49-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=5850" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/49.htm">The Evanescence of Wealth</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">A man</a> <a href="/hebrew/3366.htm" title="3366: bî·qār (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Preciousness, price, honor. From yaqar; value, i.e. wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity.">who has riches</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: yā·ḇîn (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">understanding</a> <a href="/hebrew/4911.htm" title="4911: nim·šal (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- Denominative from mashal; to liken, i.e. to use figurative language; intransitively, to resemble.">is like</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: kab·bə·hê·mō·wṯ (Prep-k, Art:: N-fp) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">the beasts</a> <a href="/hebrew/1820.htm" title="1820: niḏ·mū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. To destroy.">that perish.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:18-21</a></span><br />I said to myself, “As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts.” / For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:3</a></span><br />This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16</a></span><br />The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2-3</a></span><br />Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man. / I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Jeremiah 10:14</a></span><br />Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18-20</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. / And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” / He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/11-12.htm">Job 11:12</a></span><br />But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/20-4.htm">Job 20:4-7</a></span><br />Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth, / the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary? / Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-30.htm">Daniel 4:30-32</a></span><br />the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” / While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you. / You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26</a></span><br />What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20-21</a></span><br />But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18-21</a></span><br />For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Man that is in honor, and understands not, is like the beasts that perish.</p><p class="hdg">Man</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12</a></b></br> Nevertheless man <i>being</i> in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts <i>that</i> perish.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/5-11.htm">Esther 5:11-14</a></b></br> And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all <i>the things</i> wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/7-10.htm">Esther 7:10</a></b></br> So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.</p><p class="hdg">understandeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/4-21.htm">Job 4:21</a></b></br> Doth not their excellency <i>which is</i> in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.</p><p class="hdg">is like</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-18.htm">Psalm 73:18,19</a></b></br> Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:18,19</a></b></br> I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-46.htm">Asaph</a> <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/psalms/49-13.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/psalms/49-17.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Pomp</a> <a href="/psalms/49-1.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Riches</a> <a href="/job/15-9.htm">Understandest</a> <a href="/psalms/41-1.htm">Understandeth</a> <a href="/psalms/49-3.htm">Understanding</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/61-4.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/psalms/50-11.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/psalms/50-1.htm">Asaph</a> <a href="/psalms/50-11.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/psalms/54-5.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/psalms/52-5.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/psalms/68-2.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-14.htm">Pomp</a> <a href="/psalms/50-1.htm">Psalm</a> <a href="/psalms/52-7.htm">Riches</a> <a href="/psalms/139-2.htm">Understandest</a> <a href="/psalms/92-6.htm">Understandeth</a> <a href="/psalms/53-2.htm">Understanding</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 49</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/49-1.htm">An earnest persuasion to build the faith of resurrection</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/49-16.htm">Worldly prosperity is not to be admired</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/49.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/49.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A man who has riches without understanding</b><br>This phrase highlights the futility of wealth when it is not accompanied by wisdom or spiritual insight. In biblical context, understanding often refers to a fear of the Lord and a recognition of His sovereignty (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>). The Bible frequently warns against the dangers of relying on material wealth (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>). The rich man in <a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a> is a parable illustrating the folly of storing up earthly treasures without being "rich toward God." Historically, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, yet the psalmist challenges this notion by emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment.<p><b>is like the beasts that perish</b><br>This comparison underscores the temporary nature of life and the ultimate fate of all living creatures. In <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:19-20</a>, Solomon reflects on the common destiny of humans and animals, emphasizing mortality. The imagery of perishing beasts serves as a stark reminder that without understanding, humans are no better than animals in their end. This phrase also points to the biblical theme of the brevity of life (<a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a>). Theologically, it suggests that true life and value are found in a relationship with God, contrasting with the eternal life promised to those who seek understanding and wisdom through Christ (<a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sons_of_korah.htm">The Sons of Korah</a></b><br>The authors of <a href="/bsb/psalms/49.htm">Psalm 49</a>, a group of Levitical singers and musicians in the temple, known for their wisdom and insight into the human condition and the worship of God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_rich_man.htm">The Rich Man</a></b><br>Represents individuals who possess material wealth but lack spiritual understanding or wisdom.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_beasts.htm">The Beasts</a></b><br>Symbolic of creatures that lack the capacity for spiritual insight or understanding, emphasizing the futility of life without God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_illusion_of_security_in_wealth.htm">The Illusion of Security in Wealth</a></b><br>Wealth can create a false sense of security, but it cannot provide eternal security or true understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_understanding.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Understanding</a></b><br>True wisdom and understanding come from a relationship with God, not from material possessions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_temporary_nature_of_earthly_riches.htm">The Temporary Nature of Earthly Riches</a></b><br>Earthly riches are temporary and cannot be taken beyond this life, much like the beasts that perish.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_seek_eternal_riches.htm">The Call to Seek Eternal Riches</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to seek treasures in heaven, which are eternal and rooted in spiritual understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_wisdom_over_wealth.htm">The Value of Wisdom Over Wealth</a></b><br>Wisdom and understanding are more valuable than riches, as they lead to eternal life and a deeper relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_49.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 49</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/rich_and_poor__what_after_death.htm">What happens to the rich and poor after death?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/end_times__major_revival_coming.htm">What does the Bible say about Death and Hades?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_49_12_contradict_soul_immortality.htm">Psalm 49:12 likens humans to animals in their mortality--does this contradict the doctrine of an immortal soul seen elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible_genres_and_literary_forms.htm">What are the genres and literary forms in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/49.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Man that is in honour, and under. standeth not, is like the beasts that perish</span>. In ver. 12 the writer had said of all men, that they are "like the beasts that perish," which is true in one sense; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> in reference to this life. Now, having taken a loftier flight, and embraced in his mental vision the whole life of man, he makes an important qualification of what he had said. All men die; but only those who are "without understanding" die without hope - "like the beasts:" for others there remains the hope enunciated in ver. 15. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/49-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A man</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who has riches</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּ֭יקָר</span> <span class="translit">(bî·qār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3366.htm">Strong's 3366: </a> </span><span class="str2">Value, wealth, costliness, dignity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">understanding</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבִ֑ין</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is like</span><br /><span class="heb">נִמְשַׁ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(nim·šal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4911.htm">Strong's 4911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To liken, to use, language, in, to resemble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the beasts</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּבְּהֵמ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(kab·bə·hê·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that perish.</span><br /><span class="heb">נִדְמֽוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(niḏ·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1820.htm">Strong's 1820: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dumb, silent, to fail, perish, trans, to destroy</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 49:20 A man who has riches without understanding (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/49-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 49:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 49:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/50-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 50:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 50:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>