Proverbs 16:26

Proverbs 16:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
• New International Version (NIV)The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.

Context of Proverbs 16:26

24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death. A laborer’s appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work. 27A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire. 28A perverse person spreads dissension, and a gossip separates the closest friends.

Proverbs 16:26 word by word

נֶ֣פֶשׁ עָ֭מֵל עָ֣מְלָה לּ֑וֹ כִּֽי־אָכַ֖ף עָלָ֣יו פִּֽיהוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Heנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: appetiteH5315
• that labourethעָמֵל‛âmêl · labour(er)H6001
• labourethעָמַל‛âmal · to toilH5998
• for himself; for his mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• cravethאָכַף'âkaph · to craveH404

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:26

• Proverbs 9:12If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage, but if you are a mocker, you alone must bear it.
• Proverbs 14:23In all hard work there is profit, but merely talking about it only brings poverty.
• Ecclesiastes 6:7All of man’s labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach – yet his appetite is never satisfied!
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11to aspire to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you.

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26He that laboureth - No thanks to a man for his labor and industry; if he do not work he must starve.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26He that laboreth - literally, as in the margin, i. e., “The desire of the laborer labors for him” (or, helps him in his work), “for his mouth urges him on.” Hunger of some kind is the spring of all hearty labor. Without that the man would sit down and take his ease. So also, unless there is a hunger in the soul, craving to be fed, there can be no true labor after righteousness and wisdom (compare Matthew 5:6).Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26Verse 26 We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. Diligence is a duty due to one's self, for his wants require labor.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:26

• Hunger
• Industry

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 16

• 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
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings