We learn that trying to satisfy our own insatiable desires is a futile endeavor, and that true fulfillment can be found only in God’s presence.
Solomon, a king of Israel ruling from approximately 971-931 BC, points to the ever-present human desire for more when he declares “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.” (Proverbs 27:20). By mentioning “Sheol” (the realm of the dead in ancient Hebrew thought) and “Abaddon” (often understood as a place of destruction), Solomon highlights how certain forces are unceasing in their demand. In the same way that death never stops claiming lives, the eyes of humanity—driven by constant longing—never truly settle on enough. This observation warns believers not to feed a cycle of unchecked craving that can distance them from the contentment found in a relationship with God (Philippians 4:11-12).
In this verse, Solomon illustrates a universal truth: seeking earthly gratification without restraint can lead to an endless and unfulfilling pursuit. Our hearts, like the eyes mentioned here, can drift towards coveting what we do not have, leading us away from the wisdom and peace that come from trusting in the Lord. Throughout scripture, we see admonitions against envy and lust (Matthew 5:28, 1 John 2:16), reminding us that only in God do we find the deeper satisfaction that material things cannot provide.
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Proverbs 27:20 meaning
Solomon, a king of Israel ruling from approximately 971-931 BC, points to the ever-present human desire for more when he declares “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.” (Proverbs 27:20). By mentioning “Sheol” (the realm of the dead in ancient Hebrew thought) and “Abaddon” (often understood as a place of destruction), Solomon highlights how certain forces are unceasing in their demand. In the same way that death never stops claiming lives, the eyes of humanity—driven by constant longing—never truly settle on enough. This observation warns believers not to feed a cycle of unchecked craving that can distance them from the contentment found in a relationship with God (Philippians 4:11-12).
In this verse, Solomon illustrates a universal truth: seeking earthly gratification without restraint can lead to an endless and unfulfilling pursuit. Our hearts, like the eyes mentioned here, can drift towards coveting what we do not have, leading us away from the wisdom and peace that come from trusting in the Lord. Throughout scripture, we see admonitions against envy and lust (Matthew 5:28, 1 John 2:16), reminding us that only in God do we find the deeper satisfaction that material things cannot provide.