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Proverbs 25:21

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

KJV

Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum ; si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere :

Vulgate

ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν·

LXX

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

ASV

אִם רָעֵ֣ב שֹׂ֭נַאֲ/ךָ הַאֲכִלֵ֣/הוּ לָ֑חֶם וְ/אִם צָ֝מֵ֗א הַשְׁקֵ֥/הוּ מָֽיִם

Hebrew

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In the original Hebrew

8 distinct Hebrew words appear in this verse.

אִם
'm
conjunction · 1065×
י
y
verb · 148×
לֶ֣חֶם
lchm
noun · 297×
ם
m
verb · 811×
מַ֖יִם
mym
noun · 580×
נִי
ny
verb · 61×
צָמֵ֖א
tsm'
adjective · 9×
רָעֵ֣ב
r'b
adjective · 20×

Intertextual echoes

Quoted or echoed by 1 later passage.

  • Rom 12:20 · allusion
    "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."
    Proverbs: if your enemy is hungry feed him — Paul on overcoming evil

Historic Christian voices

3 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

Cross-references

  • 1Thess 5:15 — See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
  • 2Chr 28:15 — And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink,
  • 2Chr 28:15 — And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink,
  • 2Kgs 6:22 — And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go
  • Exod 23:4 — If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
  • Isa 21:14 — The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
  • Isa 58:7 — Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own fl
  • Luke 6:27 — But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
  • Luke 10:33 — But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
  • Luke 10:34 — And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
  • Matt 5:44 — But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
  • Matt 5:44 — But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
  • Matt 25:35 — For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
  • Prov 19:11 — The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
  • Prov 24:17 — Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
  • Prov 24:29 — Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
  • Rom 12:20 — Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
  • Rom 12:20 — Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.