God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 23:11
11because the one who is responsible for them is strong. He will plead their case against you.
Proverbs 23:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
- New International Version (NIV)for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.
- English Standard Version (ESV)for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.
Context of Proverbs 23:11
9Do not talk directly to a fool, because he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10Do not move an ancient boundary marker or enter fields that belong to orphans, because the one who is responsible for them is strong. He will plead their case against you. 12Live a more disciplined life, and listen carefully to words of knowledge. 13Do not hesitate to discipline a child. If you spank him, he will not die.
Read all of Proverbs 23Proverbs 23:11 word by word
כִּֽי־גֹאֲלָ֥ם חָזָ֑ק הֽוּא־יָרִ֖יב אֶת־רִיבָ֣ם אִתָּֽךְ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 23:11
- Proverbs 22:23because the Lord will plead their case and will take the lives of those who rob them.
- Exodus 22:22“Never take advantage of any widow or orphan.
- Deuteronomy 27:19“Whoever deprives foreigners, orphans, or widows of justice will be cursed.” Then all the people will say amen.
- Psalms 12:5“Because oppressed people are robbed and needy people groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will provide safety for those who long for it.”
- Jeremiah 50:33This is what the Lord of Armies says: All the people of Israel and Judah are oppressed. All their enemies have captured them. They refuse to let them go.
- Jeremiah 51:36This is what the Lord says: I am going to take up your cause and get revenge for you. I will dry up Babylon’s sea and make its springs dry.
Commentaries on Proverbs 23:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11For their redeemer is mighty - גאלם goalam, their kinsman. The word means the person who has a right, being next in blood, to redeem a field or estate, alienated from the family, to avenge the blood of a murdered relative, by slaying the murderer; and to take to wife a brother's widow, who had died childless, in order to preserve the family. The strength here mentioned refers to the justness of his claim, the extent of his influence, and the powerful…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11The reason is given for the precept Proverbs 23:10. Their redeemer - See Job 19:25 note. It was the duty of the גאל gā'al the next of kin, to take on himself, in case of murder, the office of avenger of blood Numbers 35:19. By a slight extension the word was applied to one who took on himself a like office in cases short of this. Here, therefore, the thought is that, destitute as the fatherless may seem, there is One who claims them as His next of kin…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-11Verses 10-11 The fatherless are taken under God's special protection. He is their Redeemer, who will take their part; and he is mighty, almighty.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-11Saying 10: Wise people avoid unfair business practices and illegitimate gains (see Proverbs 22:28), knowing that the Lord will judge wrongdoing. Redeemer: The New Living Translation is likely correct in capitalizing the word Redeemer and identifying it with God, although it might refer to a human redeemer.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 10-1110-11. (Compare Pr 22:22, 23).Read the comment
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 23
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries