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

21Calamity pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous. 22A benevolent person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, but the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous. There is abundant food in the field of the poor, but it is swept away by injustice. 24The one who spares his rod hates his child, but the one who loves his child is diligent in disciplining him. 25The righteous has enough food to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked lacks food.

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 12:11The one who works his field will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks wisdom.
• Proverbs 27:18The one who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever takes care of his master will be honored.
• Proverbs 28:19The one who works his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever chases daydreams will have his fill of poverty.
• Ecclesiastes 5:9The produce of the land is seized by all of them, even the king is served by the fields.
• Proverbs 6:6Go to the ant, you sluggard; observe its ways and be wise!
• Proverbs 11:5The righteousness of the blameless will make straight their way, but the wicked person will fall by his own wickedness.
• Psalms 112:5It goes well for the one who generously lends money, and conducts his business honestly.
• Ecclesiastes 8:5Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm, and a wise person knows the proper time and procedure.
• Jeremiah 8:7Even the stork knows when it is time to move on. The turtledove, swallow, and crane recognize the normal times for their migration. But my people pay no attention to what I, the Lord, require of them.

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