Proverbs 12:9

Proverbs 12:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
• New International Version (NIV)Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.

Context of Proverbs 12:9

7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. 8A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread. 10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

Proverbs 12:9 word by word

ט֣וֹב נִ֭קְלֶה וְעֶ֣בֶד ל֑וֹ מִ֝מְּתַכַּבֵּ֗ד וַחֲסַר־לָֽחֶם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• despisedקָלָהqâlâh · to dishonorH7034
• and hath a servantעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• than he that honourethכָּבֵדkâbad kâbêd · to honor: honourH3513
• himself, and lackethחָסֵרchâsêr · lackingH2638
• breadלֶ֫חֶםlechem · food: breadH3899

Cross-references for Proverbs 12:9

• Proverbs 13:7There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.
• Luke 14:11For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Commentaries on Proverbs 12:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9He that is despised, and hath a servant - I believe the Vulgate gives the true sense of this verse: Melior est pauper, et sufficiens sibi; quam gloriosus, et indigens pane. "Better is the poor man who provides for himself, than the proud who is destitute of bread." The versions in general agree in this sense. This needs no comment. There are some who, through pride of birth, etc., would rather starve, than put their hands to menial labor. Though they may…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9Verse 9 He that lives in a humble state, who has no one to wait upon him, but gets bread by his own labour, is happier than he that glories in high birth or gay attire, and wants necessaries.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9What is real matters more than how things look.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. despised--held in little repute, obscure (1Sa 18:23; Is 3:5). hath a servant--implying some means of honest living. honoureth himself--is self-conceited.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 12:9

• Idleness
• Pride
• Servant

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Cruel
• Happen
• Heaviness
• Pathway
• Poetry
• Reproof
• Vain
• Esteem
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 12

• 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