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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>Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/25-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/20_Pro_25_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 25:21 - More Proverbs of Solomon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/25-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/25-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/25.htm">Chapter 25</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/25-20.htm" title="Proverbs 25:20">◄</a> Proverbs 25:21 <a href="/proverbs/25-22.htm" title="Proverbs 25:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. And if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If your enemy hungers, give him food to eat; and if he thirsts, give him water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If thy enemy shall hunger, give him bread to eat; and if he shall thirst, give him water to drink:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If he who is hating you hungers, cause him to eat bread, "" And if he thirsts, cause him to drink water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If he who is hating thee doth hunger, cause him to eat bread, And if he thirst, cause him to drink water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If thine enemy hunger, give him bread to eat; and if he thirst, give him water to drink:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat, if thirsty, give something to drink; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If your enemy hungers, feed him, and if he thirsts, give him drink.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/25-21.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/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5226" 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/proverbs/25.htm">More Proverbs of Solomon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/8130.htm" title="8130: na·’ă·ḵā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 2ms) -- To hate. A primitive root; to hate.">your enemy</a> <a href="/hebrew/7457.htm" title="7457: rā·‘êḇ (Adj-ms) -- Hungry. From ra'eb; hungry.">is hungry,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: lā·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">give him food</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ha·’ă·ḵi·lê·hū (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">to eat,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">and if</a> <a href="/hebrew/6771.htm" title="6771: ṣā·mê (Adj-ms) -- Thirsty. From tsame'; thirsty.">he is thirsty,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mā·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">give him water</a> <a href="/hebrew/8248.htm" title="8248: haš·qê·hū (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3ms) -- Cause to drink water, give to drink. A primitive root; to quaff, i.e. to irrigate or furnish a potion to.">to drink.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.…<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="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20</a></span><br />On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a></span><br />But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4-5</a></span><br />If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">1 Samuel 24:17</a></span><br />and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-22.htm">2 Kings 6:22-23</a></span><br />“Do not kill them,” he replied. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and then return to their master.” / So the king prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. And the Aramean raiders did not come into the land of Israel again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a></span><br />For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-33.htm">Luke 10:33-37</a></span><br />But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion. / He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. / The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></span><br />Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-5.htm">Genesis 45:5-8</a></span><br />And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. / For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. / God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-15.htm">2 Chronicles 28:15</a></span><br />Then the men who were designated by name arose, took charge of the captives, and provided from the plunder clothing for the naked. They clothed them, gave them sandals and food and drink, anointed their wounds, and put all the feeble on donkeys. So they brought them to Jericho, the City of Palms, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29-30</a></span><br />If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him— / I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-13.htm">Psalm 35:13-14</a></span><br />Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered. / I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/109-4.htm">Psalm 109:4-5</a></span><br />In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. / They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17</a></b></br> Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Exodus 23:4,5</a></b></br> If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></b></br> But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/23-6.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-9.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-35.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-16.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-28.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-30.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-27.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-15.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-15.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-16.htm">Need</a> <a href="/psalms/104-11.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/psalms/143-6.htm">Thirsty</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/27-27.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-2.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-9.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-27.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-6.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-1.htm">Hating</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-7.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-7.htm">Need</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-25.htm">Thirsty</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-25.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-1.htm">observations about kings</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">and about avoiding causes of quarrels</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/proverbs/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If your enemy is hungry,</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the radical nature of biblical love and kindness, extending even to one's enemies. In the ancient Near Eastern context, hospitality was a significant cultural value, often extended to strangers and travelers. However, extending such care to an enemy would have been countercultural and challenging. This instruction aligns with the broader biblical theme of loving one's enemies, as seen in Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (<a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a>). It reflects the character of God, who provides for all people, regardless of their relationship with Him.<p><b>give him food to eat,</b><br>Providing food to an enemy is a tangible expression of love and mercy. In biblical times, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and peace. This act of kindness could potentially transform a hostile relationship into one of reconciliation. The act of feeding an enemy is reminiscent of God's provision for all humanity, regardless of their spiritual state, as seen in the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). It also prefigures the ultimate act of love and provision in Jesus Christ, who offers Himself as the bread of life (<a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>).<p><b>and if he is thirsty,</b><br>Thirst in the biblical context often symbolizes a deep need or longing, both physically and spiritually. Providing water to an enemy not only meets a basic physical need but also symbolizes offering peace and reconciliation. Water is a recurring symbol in Scripture, representing life, cleansing, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) highlights the transformative power of offering "living water" to those who are spiritually thirsty, regardless of their past enmity or social status.<p><b>give him water to drink.</b><br>This act of giving water to an enemy underscores the call to overcome evil with good, as echoed in <a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20-21</a>. It reflects the heart of God, who desires reconciliation and peace among all people. The provision of water can also be seen as a type of Christ, who offers Himself as the source of living water, quenching the deepest thirst of the human soul (<a href="/john/7-37.htm">John 7:37-38</a>). This command challenges believers to reflect Christ's love and grace, breaking down barriers of hostility and extending the invitation of peace and salvation to all.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Proverbs is a collection of his wise sayings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies.htm">Enemies</a></b><br>In the context of this verse, "enemies" refers to those who oppose or have hostility towards us. The verse challenges the natural human response to treat enemies with kindness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where hospitality and care for others were significant societal values.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_radical_kindness.htm">The Call to Radical Kindness</a></b><br><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21</a> challenges believers to respond to hostility with generosity, reflecting God's grace and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/breaking_the_cycle_of_retaliation.htm">Breaking the Cycle of Retaliation</a></b><br>By feeding and giving drink to our enemies, we break the cycle of revenge and hostility, promoting peace and reconciliation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ's_love.htm">Reflecting Christ's Love</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to mirror His love and forgiveness, even towards those who oppose us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_justice.htm">Trusting in God's Justice</a></b><br>By showing kindness to our enemies, we trust in God's ultimate justice and leave vengeance to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_steps_in_loving_enemies.htm">Practical Steps in Loving Enemies</a></b><br>Consider practical ways to show kindness to those who oppose you, such as praying for them, offering help, or speaking kindly.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'heap_coals'_conflict_with_forgiveness.htm">Proverbs 25:21–22 – Does instructing believers to “heap burning coals” on an enemy’s head conflict with later biblical teachings on compassion and forgiveness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_should_christians_treat_foes.htm">How should Christians treat their enemies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'heap_coals'_on_head_mean.htm">What does "heap burning coals" on someone's head mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_enemies.htm">What guidance does the Bible offer about enemies?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 21, 22.</span> - This famous tetrastrich is reproduced (with the exception of the fourth line) from the Septuagint by St. Paul (<a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20</a>). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - The traditional hatred of enemies is here strongly repudiated (see <a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17, 18</a>, and notes there). Thus Elisha treated the Syrians, introduced blindly into the midst of Samaria, ordering the King of Israel to set bread and water before them, and to send them away unharmed (<a href="/2_kings/6-22.htm">2 Kings 6:22</a>). "Punish your enemy by benefiting him," say the Arabs, though they are far from practising the injunction; "Sweet words break the bones;" "Bread and salt humble even a robber," say the Russians. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/25-21.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">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your enemy</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׂ֭נַאֲךָ</span> <span class="translit">(na·’ă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8130.htm">Strong's 8130: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is hungry,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָעֵ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘êḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7456.htm">Strong's 7456: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hungry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">give him food</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֑חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to eat,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַאֲכִלֵ֣הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ha·’ă·ḵi·lê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and if</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he is thirsty,</span><br /><span class="heb">צָ֝מֵ֗א</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6771.htm">Strong's 6771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thirsty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">give him water</span><br /><span class="heb">מָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to drink.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְׁקֵ֥הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(haš·qê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8248.htm">Strong's 8248: </a> </span><span class="str2">To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry give him (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/25-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 25:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 25:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/25-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 25:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 25:22" /></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>