Proverbs 12:9

Proverbs 12:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
• New International Version (NIV)Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.

Context of Proverbs 12:9

7The wicked are overthrown [by their evil] and are no more, But the house of the [consistently] righteous will stand [securely]. 8A man will be commended according to his insight and sound judgment, But the one who is of a perverse mind will be despised. Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, Than he who [boastfully] honors himself [pretending to be what he is not] and lacks bread. 10A righteous man has kind regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. 11He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.

Proverbs 12:9 word by word

ט֣וֹב נִ֭קְלֶה וְעֶ֣בֶד ל֑וֹ מִ֝מְּתַכַּבֵּ֗ד וַחֲסַר־לָֽחֶם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• despisedקָלָהqâlâh · to dishonorH7034
• and hath a servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• than he that honourethכָּבֵדkâbad kâbêd · to honor: honourH3513
• himself, and lackethחָסֵרchâsêr · lackingH2638
• breadלֶ֫חֶםlechem · food: breadH3899

Cross-references for Proverbs 12:9

• Proverbs 13:7There is one who pretends to be rich, yet has nothing at all; Another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
• Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled [before others], and he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted.”

Commentaries on Proverbs 12:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9He that is despised, and hath a servant - I believe the Vulgate gives the true sense of this verse: Melior est pauper, et sufficiens sibi; quam gloriosus, et indigens pane. "Better is the poor man who provides for himself, than the proud who is destitute of bread." The versions in general agree in this sense. This needs no comment. There are some who, through pride of birth, etc., would rather starve, than put their hands to menial labor. Though they may…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9Verse 9 He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9What is real matters more than how things look.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. despised--held in little repute, obscure (1Sa 18:23; Is 3:5). hath a servant--implying some means of honest living. honoureth himself--is self-conceited.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 12:9

• Idleness
• Pride
• Servant

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Cruel
• Happen
• Heaviness
• Pathway
• Poetry
• Reproof
• Vain
• Esteem
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings