New International Versionthe grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’
New Living Translationthe grave, the barren womb, the thirsty desert, the blazing fire.
English Standard VersionSheol, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough.”
Berean Standard BibleSheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’
King James BibleThe grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
New King James VersionThe grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water— And the fire never says, “Enough!”
New American Standard BibleSheol, the infertile womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.”
NASB 1995Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.”
NASB 1977Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.”
Legacy Standard BibleSheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.”
Amplified BibleSheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “It is enough.”
Christian Standard BibleSheol; a childless womb; earth, which is never satisfied with water; and fire, which never says, “Enough! ”
Holman Christian Standard BibleSheol; a childless womb; earth, which is never satisfied with water; and fire, which never says, “Enough!”
American Standard VersionSheol; and the barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that saith not, Enough.
Contemporary English VersionThe world of the dead and a childless wife, the thirsty earth and a flaming fire.
English Revised VersionThe grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that saith not, Enough.
GOD'S WORD® Translationthe grave, a barren womb, a land that never gets enough water, a fire that does not say, "Enough!"
Good News Translationthe world of the dead, a woman without children, dry ground that needs rain, and a fire burning out of control.
International Standard VersionThe afterlife, the barren womb, earth that still demands water, and fire—they never say, "Enough".
NET Biblethe grave, the barren womb, land that is not satisfied with water, and fire that never says, "Enough!"
New Heart English BibleSheol, the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough.'
Webster's Bible TranslationThe grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’
World English BibleSheol, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that doesn’t say, ‘Enough!’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionSheol, and a restrained womb, "" Earth—it [is] not satisfied [with] water, "" And fire—it has not said, “Sufficiency,”
Young's Literal Translation Sheol, and a restrained womb, Earth -- it is not satisfied with water, And fire -- it hath not said, 'Sufficiency,'
Smith's Literal TranslationHades; and the closed womb; the earth not filled with water; and fire said not, Wealth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHell, and the mouth of the womb, and the earth which is not satisfied with water: and the fire never saith: It is enough.
Catholic Public Domain VersionHell, and the mouth of the womb, and a land that is not filled with water. And truly, fire never says, ‘Enough.’
New American BibleSheol, a barren womb, land that never gets its fill of water, and fire, which never says, “Enough!”
New Revised Standard VersionSheol, the barren womb, the earth ever thirsty for water, and the fire that never says, “Enough.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSheol; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that never says, It is enough.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedSheol and her barren womb, the ground that is not filled with water, and fire does not say, "It is enough.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The grave; and the barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that saith not: 'Enough.'
Brenton Septuagint TranslationThe grave, and the love of a woman, and the earth not filled with water; water also and fire will not say, It is enough.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Words of Agur… 15The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: 16Sheol,the barrenwomb,landneversatisfiedwith water,and firethat neversays,‘Enough!’17As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.…
Cross References Ecclesiastes 1:8All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing.
Habakkuk 2:5and wealth indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own.
Isaiah 5:14Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s nobles and masses, her revelers and carousers!
Job 18:13It devours patches of his skin; the firstborn of death devours his limbs.
Job 20:15He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach.
Isaiah 57:20But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.
Jeremiah 2:24-25a wild donkey at home in the wilderness, sniffing the wind in the heat of her desire. Who can restrain her passion? All who seek her need not weary themselves; in mating season they will find her. / You should have kept your feet from going bare and your throat from being thirsty. But you said, ‘It is hopeless! For I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.’
Amos 8:11Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
Micah 7:1Woe is me! For I am like one gathering summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster to eat, no early fig that I crave.
Genesis 30:1When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob.
1 Samuel 1:5-8But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. / Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. / And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival taunted her until she wept and would not eat. ...
2 Samuel 17:29honey, curds, sheep, and cheese from the herd for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become hungry, exhausted, and thirsty in the wilderness.”
Psalm 107:9For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 63:1A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.
Matthew 5:6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Treasury of Scripture The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that said not, It is enough. Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. Habakkuk 2:5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine,he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, andis as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people: Jump to Previous BarrenChildEarthEnoughFilledFireGraveSatisfiedSheolSufficiencyThirstyUnderworldWaterWombJump to Next BarrenChildEarthEnoughFilledFireGraveSatisfiedSheolSufficiencyThirstyUnderworldWaterWombProverbs 30 1.Agur's confession of his faith7.The two points of his prayer10.The meanest are not to be wronged11.Four wicked generations15.Four things insatiable24.four things exceeding wise29.Four things stately32.Wrath is to be preventedSheolSheol is often understood as the realm of the dead in Hebrew thought, a place of darkness and silence. It is depicted as insatiable, always consuming but never full. This concept is echoed in other scriptures such as Isaiah 5:14 and Habakkuk 2:5, where Sheol is portrayed as having an unending appetite. Theologically, it represents the inevitability of death and the grave, a reminder of human mortality and the need for redemption. the barren womb
In ancient cultures, including Israel, barrenness was often seen as a source of shame and distress for women, as children were considered a blessing from God (Psalm 127:3). The barren womb symbolizes unfulfilled desire and longing. This theme is seen in the stories of Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah, who experienced barrenness before God intervened. It highlights the deep yearning for life and continuation, reflecting humanity's desire for legacy and purpose. land never satisfied with water
This phrase refers to the arid and dry regions common in the Near East, where water is a precious and often scarce resource. The land's thirst for water symbolizes the constant need for sustenance and the unending cycle of nature. Biblically, water is also a symbol of life and spiritual renewal, as seen in passages likeJohn 4:14, where Jesus speaks of living water. The insatiable land parallels the human soul's need for spiritual nourishment. and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’
Fire is a powerful biblical symbol of both destruction and purification. It consumes everything in its path, representing judgment and the refining process. In the context of Proverbs, fire's insatiability underscores the destructive nature of unchecked desires and passions. This imagery is consistent with other biblical references, such asJames 3:6, where the tongue is likened to a fire, capable of great harm. Fire's unending appetite serves as a warning against the dangers of greed and lust. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Grave (Sheol)In Hebrew, "Sheol" refers to the realm of the dead. It is often depicted as insatiable, always seeking more souls. 2. The Barren WombRepresents unfulfilled longing and desire, a deeply personal and often painful experience for women in biblical times. 3. Land Never Satisfied with WaterSymbolizes the earth's constant need for nourishment and the cycle of life that depends on water. 4. FireRepresents destruction and consumption, an element that continually seeks fuel to sustain itself. Teaching Points Understanding Insatiable DesiresRecognize that certain desires and aspects of life are inherently insatiable, reflecting the fallen nature of the world. Spiritual ContentmentSeek contentment in Christ, who satisfies our deepest needs and desires, unlike the insatiable elements described in Proverbs 30:16. The Danger of Unchecked DesiresBe aware of the dangers of unchecked desires, whether material, emotional, or spiritual, and strive to align them with God's will. The Role of Prayer and FaithUse prayer and faith as tools to address unfulfilled desires, trusting in God's timing and provision. Reflecting on God's SufficiencyMeditate on God's sufficiency and how He meets our needs, contrasting with the world's insatiable nature. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 30:16?
2.How can we recognize and avoid the "never satisfied" desires in Proverbs 30:16?
3.What does Proverbs 30:16 teach about contentment in our daily lives?
4.How does Proverbs 30:16 connect with Paul's teachings on contentment in Philippians 4:11-12?
5.In what ways can we apply Proverbs 30:16 to our financial decisions?
6.How can Proverbs 30:16 guide us in cultivating gratitude and satisfaction?
7.What does Proverbs 30:16 reveal about human desires and their insatiable nature?
8.How does Proverbs 30:16 challenge our understanding of contentment and satisfaction?
9.Why are the four things in Proverbs 30:16 never satisfied, according to biblical teachings?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 30?
11.What insatiable desires are never satisfied?
12.Did God create the realm known as hell?
13.Proverbs 30:15-16 personifies a leech and lists things never satisfied; what evidence supports or refutes these claims scientifically?
14.Proverbs 15:11: How do ancient concepts of Sheol and Abaddon align with modern historical or archaeological findings on the afterlife?What Does Proverbs 30:16 Mean Sheol“Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied” (Proverbs 27:20), andIsaiah 5:14 pictures Sheol opening its mouth wide to receive more. Death’s realm is a bottomless maw; every generation enters, yet it still hungers.Habakkuk 2:5 likens relentless greed to Sheol, underscoring the proverb’s first image: an appetite that will never be appeased.
the barren wombRachel cried, “Give me children, or I will die!” (Genesis 30:1). Hannah wept “in bitterness of soul” (1 Samuel 1:10). Elizabeth “had no children” and felt the reproach (Luke 1:7, 25). The unfulfilled longing for a child can ache for years, illustrating another hunger only God can satisfy (Psalm 113:9). Until He opens the womb, the yearning remains insistent.
land never satisfied with waterParched ground soaks up rain yet soon thirsts again.Isaiah 55:10 describes water falling to make the earth “bud and sprout,” but the process must repeat.Jeremiah 14:4 shows cracked soil because rain stopped. The earth’s continual need for moisture mirrors our daily dependence on God’s provision (Matthew 6:11).
fire that never says, ‘Enough!’Flames consume wood and instantly reach for more. “As charcoal for embers and wood for fire” (Proverbs 26:21), so unchecked desire keeps feeding itself.Isaiah 9:18 portrays wickedness burning like fire;Nahum 1:6 warns of divine wrath poured out like fire. Left to itself, fire devours everything in its path, a vivid warning against unrestrained passion.
summaryFour literal realities—Sheol, barrenness, drought-stricken land, and fire—share one trait: they never declare themselves full.Proverbs 30:16 uses them to caution us against desires that echo that same cry for “more.” Only the Lord can sate the deepest hunger; contentment comes by resting in Him (Psalm 107:9;John 4:14;Philippians 4:11-13). (16) The grave.--See above, on Proverbs 15:11, where it is translated "hell." Verse 16. - The four insatiable things are now named: first, the grave,sheol ( Proverbs 27:20), which can never be filled with its victims. Horace talks of a man as - "Victima nil miserantis Orci."
(Carm.,' 2:3, 24.) And Hesiod ('Theog.,' 456) of Hades as - Νηλεὲς ῆτορ ἔχων
"A heart possessing that no pity knows." The second thing is the barren womb; "the closing of the womb," asGenesis 20:18;Isaiah 66:9. The burning desire for children, characteristic of an Israelitish wife, is here denoted, like the passionate cry of Rachel to Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die" (Genesis 30:1). The barren woman, says Corn. a Lapide, " concubitus magis est avida quam ceterae tum propter desiderium habendae prolis, tum quod foecundae et gravidae naturaliter non appetant concubitum." The third insatiable thing isthe earth that is not filled (satisfied)with water; the parched and thirsty soil which no amount of water can satisfy, which drinks in all that is poured upon it and is not benefited, what Virgil ('Georg.,' 1:114) calls "bibula arena."The fourth is the fire that saith not,It is enough; the "devouring element," as the newspapers term it. The more you heap on fire, the more material you supply, the fiercer it rages. Septuagint, "Hades, and the love of woman, and earth not satisfied with water, and water, and fire, will not say, It sufficeth." Cheyne and others quote from the Sanscrit 'Hitopadesa,' "Fire is never satisfied with fuel; nor the ocean with rivers; nor death with all creatures; nor bright-eyed women with men."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Sheol,שְׁאוֹל֮(šə·’ō·wl)Noun - common singular
Strong's 7585:Underworld (place to which people descend at death)the barrenוְעֹ֪צֶ֫ר(wə·‘ō·ṣer)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6115:Closure, constraintwomb,רָ֥חַם(rā·ḥam)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7356:Compassion, the womb, a maidenlandאֶ֭רֶץ(’e·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landthat is neverלֹא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nosatisfiedשָׂ֣בְעָה(śā·ḇə·‘āh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7646:To be sated, satisfied or surfeitedwith water,מַּ֑יִם(ma·yim)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325:Water, juice, urine, semenand fireוְ֝אֵ֗שׁ(wə·’êš)Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784:A firethat neverלֹא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nosays,אָ֥מְרָה(’ā·mə·rāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Enough!”הֽוֹן׃(hō·wn)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1952:Wealth, sufficiency
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 30:16 Sheol the barren womb (Prov. Pro Pr) |
