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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste.

Context of Proverbs 13:23

21Disaster hunts down sinners, but righteous people are rewarded with good. 22Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the wealth of sinners is stored away for a righteous person. When poor people are able to plow, there is much food, but a person is swept away where there is no justice. 24Whoever refuses to spank his son hates him, but whoever loves his son disciplines him from early on. 25A righteous person eats to satisfy his appetite, but the bellies of wicked people are always empty.

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 to eat, but the one who chases unrealistic dreams has no sense.
• Proverbs 27:18Whoever takes care of a fig tree can eat its fruit, and whoever protects his master is honored.
• Proverbs 28:19Whoever works his land will have plenty to eat. Whoever chases unrealistic dreams will have plenty of nothing.
• Ecclesiastes 5:9Yet, a king is an advantage for a country with cultivated fields.
• Proverbs 6:6Consider the ant, you lazy bum. Watch its ways, and become wise.
• Proverbs 11:5The righteousness of innocent people makes their road smooth, but wicked people fall by their own wickedness.
• Psalms 112:5All goes well for the person who is generous and lends willingly. He earns an honest living.
• Ecclesiastes 8:5Whoever obeys his commands will avoid trouble. The mind of a wise person will know the right time and the right way ⌞to act⌟.
• Jeremiah 8:7Even storks know when it’s time to return. Mourning doves, swallows, and cranes know when it’s time to migrate. But my people don’t know that I, the Lord, am urging them to return.

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