Proverbs 21 · Verse 6

Proverbs 21:6

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Proverbs 21:6, King James Version

Proverbs 21:6 in other translations

BSBMaking a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
WEBGetting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
ASVThe getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
YLTThe making of treasures by a lying tongue, Is a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
DARBYThe getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
BBEHe who gets stores of wealth by a false tongue, is going after what is only breath, and searching for death.
WebsterThe getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.

What does Proverbs 21:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. The getting--or, "what is obtained" (compare Job 7:2; Jr 22:13, Hebrew). vanity ... to and fro--as fleeting as chaff or stubble in the wind (compare Pr 20:17-21; Psa 62:10). Such gettings are unsatisfactory. them ... death--act as if they did (Pr 8:36; 17:19).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Of them that seek death - Instead of מבקשי mebakshey, "them that seek," several MSS., some ancient editions, with Symmachus, the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Arabic, have מקשי mokeshey, the snares. He who gets treasures by a lying tongue, pursues vanity into the snares of death. Our common translation may be as good. But he who, by the snares of his tongue, endeavors to buy and sell to the best advantage, is pursuing what is empty in itself; and he is ensnared by death, while he is attempting to ensnare others.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
While men seek wealth by unlawful practices, they seek death.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 21:6 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

פֹּ֣עַלPo.'al[the] acquisition ofH6467
א֭וֹצָרוֹת'o.tza.rottreasuresH214
בִּלְשׁ֣וֹןbil.Shonby a tongue ofH3956
שָׁ֑קֶרSha.kerfalsehoodH8267
הֶ֥בֶלHe.vel[is] a breathH1892
נִ֝דָּ֗ףni.Dafdriven aboutH5086
מְבַקְשֵׁי\־me.vak.shei-seekers ofH1245
מָֽוֶת\׃Ma.vetdeathH4194

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 21:6

  • Proverbs 13:11

    Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

  • Proverbs 10:2

    Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

  • Proverbs 20:21

    An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

  • Jeremiah 17:11

    As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

  • Proverbs 8:36

    But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

  • 1 Timothy 6:9-10

    But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Proverbs 20:14

    It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

  • Proverbs 30:8

    Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

  • Proverbs 22:8

    He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

  • 2 Peter 2:3

    And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

  • Titus 1:11

    Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

  • Ezekiel 18:31

    Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
getting.
10:2; 13:11; 20:14,21; 22:8; 30:8; Jer 17:11; 1Ti 6:9,10; Tit 1:11
2Pe 2:3
seek.
8:36; Eze 18:31

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 21:5

    The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

  • Proverbs 21:6

    The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

  • Proverbs 21:7

    The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

Read all of Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Allegar tesoros con lengua de mentira, es vanidad desatentada de aquellos que buscan la muerte.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Acquérir des trésors par une langue fausse, c’est une vanité fugitive de ceux qui cherchent la mort.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Erwerb von Schätzen durch Lügenzunge ist verwehender Dunst; solche suchen den Tod.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui congregat thesauros lingua mendacii vanus et excors est, et impingetur ad laqueos mortis.