The Meaning of Proverbs 25:21 Explained

Proverbs 25:21

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

YLT: If he who is hating thee doth hunger, cause him to eat bread, And if he thirst, cause him to drink water.

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

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Proverbs 25:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:15-28 - Self-Control And Kindliness
In this paragraph we have good advice as to our dealings with the varied characters with whom we are forced into daily contact. Here is a man hard as a bone-try gentleness, for a soft tongue will win his heart, just because it finds a new and unexpected way of approach which no one else has tried for long years"¦. Beware of honeyed words; you may get stung."¦ Do not make yourself too common, or pry into your neighbor's affairs, or ask his help too often"¦. Keep clear of the tale-bearer."¦ Be very careful to whom you confide your troubles"¦. Vinegar poured on potash makes it effervesce; so joyous mirth is incongruous to a heavy heart"¦. Even if your love fails to meet your enemy, the Lord will reward you by revealing and communicating His own perfection, Matthew 5:43-48."¦ If you frown on a backbiter, you will silence him."¦ Do not give way to the wicked, lest you become a corrupted spring"¦. Rule over your spirit-nay, better, hand over its keys to Emmanuel, and let Him be crowned in Mansoul. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:21 mean?

If is hungry your enemy give him to eat bread and if he is thirsty give him to drink water
אִם־ רָעֵ֣ב שֹׂ֭נַאֲךָ הַאֲכִלֵ֣הוּ לָ֑חֶם וְאִם־ צָ֝מֵ֗א הַשְׁקֵ֥הוּ מָֽיִם

רָעֵ֣ב  is  hungry 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָעֵב 
Sense: to be hungry, be voracious.
שֹׂ֭נַאֲךָ  your  enemy 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: שָׂנֵא  
Sense: to hate, be hateful.
הַאֲכִלֵ֣הוּ  give  him  to  eat 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: אָכַל  
Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
לָ֑חֶם  bread 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֶחֶם  
Sense: bread, food, grain.
וְאִם־  and  if 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Conjunction
Root: אִם  
Sense: if.
צָ֝מֵ֗א  he  is  thirsty 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: צָמֵא  
Sense: thirsty.
הַשְׁקֵ֥הוּ  give  him  to  drink 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁקָה  
Sense: to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water.
מָֽיִם  water 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.