Proverbs 27:20 (GNV)

Passage

The graue and destruction can neuer be full, so the eyes of man can neuer be satisfied.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 27:18 He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eate the fruite thereof: so he that waiteth vpon his master, shall come to honour.

Proverbs 27:19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

Proverbs 27:20 The graue and destruction can neuer be full, so the eyes of man can neuer be satisfied.

Proverbs 27:21 As is the fining pot for siluer and the fornace for golde, so is euery man according to his dignitie.

Proverbs 27:22 Though thou shouldest bray a foole in a morter among wheate brayed with a pestell, yet will not his foolishnes depart from him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "graue", "destruction", "neuer", "full", "eyes", and "satisfied". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "graue" and "destruction", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "As in water face answereth to face..." into verse 21's "As is the fining pot for siluer...", so "graue" and "destruction" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "graue" and "destruction" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.