Proverbs 13:23

Proverbs 13:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
• New International Version (NIV)An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.

Context of Proverbs 13:23

21Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good. 22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous. The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. 24Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. 25The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.

Proverbs 13:23 word by word

רָב־אֹ֭כֶל נִ֣יר רָאשִׁ֑ים וְיֵ֥שׁ נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה בְּלֹ֣א מִשְׁפָּֽט׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Muchרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• foodאֹ֫כֶל'ôkel · foodH400
• the tillageנִירnîyr nir · fallow groundH5215
• of the poorרוּשׁrûsh · be poorH7326
• of the poorרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
• but there isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• destroyedסָפָהsâphâh · to snatchH5595
• for wantלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
• of judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941

Cross-references for Proverbs 13:23

• Proverbs 12:11Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
• Proverbs 27:18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.
• Proverbs 28:19Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
• Ecclesiastes 5:9But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.
• Proverbs 6:6Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
• Proverbs 11:5The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
• Psalms 112:5It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
• Ecclesiastes 8:5Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.
• Jeremiah 8:7Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the Lord.

Commentaries on Proverbs 13:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23That is destroyed for want of judgment - O, how much of the poverty of the poor arises from their own want of management! They have little or no economy, and no foresight. When they get any thing, they speedily spend it; and a feast and a famine make the chief varieties of their life.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The contrast is the ever recurring one between honest poverty and dishonest wealth. “The new-plowed field of the poor is much food, but there are those, who, though rich, perish through their disregard of right.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 The poor, yet industrious, thrive, though in a homely manner, while those who have great riches are often brought to poverty for want of judgment.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Hard work does not always lead to success (see Proverbs 10:426; 12:11; 13:4) because injustice exists in the world.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 13:23

• Industry
• Poor

In the dictionaries

• Accomplish
• Advised
• Companion
• Defer
• Folly
• Hate
• Poetry
• Transgressor
• Wise
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 13

• 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