Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 20:17
What does Proverbs 20:17 mean?
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Proverbs 20:17
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The verse highlights that the "sweetness" of ill-gotten gain is like the deceptive taste of forbidden fruit. It's not just a brief pleasure; it's the thrill of cleverly bypassing honest effort, a fleeting sense of triumph that quickly turns sour.
Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb is part of a larger collection of wisdom sayings, particularly those offering advice on practical living and moral conduct. It speaks generally about the consequences of dishonesty in acquiring wealth or pleasure, contrasting the immediate allure of ill-gotten gains with their eventual bitter outcome. The surrounding verses often highlight the difference between the righteous and the wicked, and the ultimate futility of pursuing sin.
Ever felt that thrill of getting away with something? Like a secret treat you enjoyed just for yourself? This verse speaks to that feeling, but with a stark warning.
The verse paints a vivid picture of how sin can initially feel incredibly appealing. The "bread of deceit" isn't just about dishonesty in a transaction; it's any gain or pleasure obtained through unrighteous means.
The Allure of the Forbidden
This initial sweetness is precisely what makes sin so dangerous. It disguises its true nature, offering a fleeting pleasure that blinds us to the inevitable consequences.
What happens after the thrill wears off? Proverbs uses a powerful, visceral image to describe the lasting impact of deceitful gain.
The second half of the verse is a stark warning: "afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel." This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it signifies deep distress and ruin.
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Understanding the 'Gravel'
Understand the original words
lechem... sheqer · Hebrew Noun phrase
Acquisition of resources or goods through dishonest, fraudulent, or tricky means rather than honest labor.
This proverb echoes the same theme, warning that gain acquired by a lying tongue leads to fleeting satisfaction, eventually disappearing like mist.
Lamentations 3:16This verse uses similar imagery of discomfort and distress, describing broken teeth filled with gravel, which powerfully illustrates the painful consequences of deceitful gains.
Job 20:12-19This passage vividly describes how ill-gotten gains, initially sweet, ultimately bring ruin and distress to the wicked, mirroring the 'gravel' that fills the mouth after deceptive 'bread'.
Matthew 7:16-20Jesus' teaching about bearing fruit applies here: deceptive practices, though they might yield a temporary 'sweetness,' will ultimately reveal their rotten core and lead to negative outcomes.
bensonProverbs 20:17: "Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel."
Proverbs 20:17 . Bread of deceit — Gain or pleasure procured by unrighteous courses; is sweet to a man — And the more sweet, because it is unlawfully obtained; such pleasure doth the carnal mind take in the success of its wicked projects! Observe, reader, all the pleasures and profits of sin are bread of deceit; they are stolen; they are forbidden fruit; and they deceive men; for they do n…
cambridgeProverbs 20:17: "Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel."
17 . Bread of deceit ] or of falsehood , R.V., i.e. bread (or whatever else that word represents) gotten by dishonest and deceitful methods. with gravel ] Comp. Lamentations 3:16 .
The verse highlights that the "sweetness" of ill-gotten gain is like the deceptive taste of forbidden fruit. It's not just a brief pleasure; it's the thrill of cleverly bypassing honest effort, a fleeting sense of triumph that quickly turns sour.
This proverb is part of a larger collection of wisdom sayings, particularly those offering advice on practical living and moral conduct. It speaks generally about the consequences of dishonesty in acquiring wealth or pleasure, contrasting the immediate allure of ill-gotten gains with their eventual bitter outcome. The surrounding verses often highlight the difference between the righteous and the wicked, and the ultimate futility of pursuing sin.
This proverb is part of a larger collection of wisdom sayings, particularly those offering advice on practical living and moral conduct. It speaks generally about the consequences of dishonesty in acquiring wealth or pleasure, contrasting the immediate allure of ill-gotten gains with their eventual bitter outcome. The surrounding verses often highlight the difference between the righteous and the wicked, and the ultimate futility of pursuing sin.
"Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel." — The verse highlights that the "sweetness" of ill-gotten gain is like the deceptive taste of forbidden fruit. It's not just a brief pleasure; it's the thrill of cleverly bypassing honest effort, a fle…
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Last reviewed October 2026