Mishle 10:21

21 The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik feed rabbim (many), but fools die for lack of lev [of chochmah].

Mishle 10:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many
Not their bodies; words are but wind, and will not feed; it is not enough to say to the distressed, "be ye warmed and filled", and give nothing; unless this can be understood of obtaining food for others by their prayers, as Jarchi interprets it: but the souls of many; these the righteous feed, by communicating the spiritual knowledge and understanding of divine things they are partakers of; by setting before them the bread of life, the honey and milk of the Gospel, they have under their tongue; and by the good counsel and advice, comforts and admonitions, they give them; see ( Jeremiah 3:15 ) ( Song of Solomon 4:11 ) ; but fools die for want of wisdom:
not a corporeal death, which is common to men of every rank and quality; wise men die even as fools; but they continue under the power of a spiritual death, for want of enlightening and quickening grace, and so die an eternal death: not for want of natural wisdom, which they may have a greater share of than those who live spiritually and eternally; but for want of spiritual wisdom and knowledge; the knowledge of Christ, and the way of life and salvation by him, and the knowledge of God in Christ; and not always for the want of the means of such wisdom and knowledge; as the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; and the Gospel, which is the wisdom of God in a mystery; but through the neglect and contempt of them: though sometimes men perish through want of the means of knowledge, and the neglect of those who should instruct them, ( Hosea 4:6 ) .

Mishle 10:21 In-Context

19 In the multitude of devarim there wanteth not sin, but he that restraineth his sfatayim (lips) is maskil (wise).
20 The lashon of the tzaddik is as choice kesef; the lev of the resha’im is of little worth.
21 The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik feed rabbim (many), but fools die for lack of lev [of chochmah].
22 The Birkat Hashem, it maketh wealthy, and He addeth no sorrow with it.
23 It is as sport to a kesil to do zimmah (evil design), but an ish tevunah (man of understanding) hath chochmah.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.