The Meaning of Proverbs 21:21 Explained

Proverbs 21:21

KJV: He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

YLT: Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Darby: He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

ASV: He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He that followeth  after righteousness  and mercy  findeth  life,  righteousness,  and honour. 

What does Proverbs 21:21 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 21

1  The king's heart in the hand of the Lord

What do the individual words in Proverbs 21:21 mean?

He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life righteousness and honor
רֹ֭דֵף צְדָקָ֣ה וָחָ֑סֶד יִמְצָ֥א חַ֝יִּ֗ים צְדָקָ֥ה וְכָבֽוֹד

רֹ֭דֵף  He  who  follows 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: רָדַף  
Sense: to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after.
צְדָקָ֣ה  righteousness 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.
וָחָ֑סֶד  and  mercy 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
יִמְצָ֥א  Finds 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָצָא  
Sense: to find, attain to.
חַ֝יִּ֗ים  life 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: חַי 
Sense: living, alive.
צְדָקָ֥ה  righteousness 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.
וְכָבֽוֹד  and  honor 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כָּבֹוד  
Sense: glory, honour, glorious, abundance.