Proverbs 12:11

Proverbs 12:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
• New International Version (NIV)Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

Context of Proverbs 12:11

9Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food. 10The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel. A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense. 12Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot, but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit. 13The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.

Proverbs 12:11 word by word

עֹבֵ֣ד אַ֭דְמָתוֹ יִֽשְׂבַּֽע־לָ֑חֶם וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף רֵיקִ֣ים חֲסַר־לֵֽב׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He that tillethעָבַד‛âbad · to serve: labourH5647
• his landאֲדָמָה'ădâmâh · land: soilH127
• shall be satisfiedשָׂבֵעַώâba‛ ώâbêa‛ · to satisfyH7646
• with breadלֶ֫חֶםlechem · food: breadH3899
• but he that followethרָדַףrâdaph · to pursueH7291
• vainרֵיקrêyq rêq · worthlessH7386
• voidחָסֵרchâsêr · lackingH2638
• of understandingלֵבlêb · heartH3820

Cross-references for Proverbs 12:11

• Proverbs 13:23A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.
• Proverbs 14:4Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
• Proverbs 27:27And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself, your family, and your servant girls.
• Proverbs 28:19A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.
• Genesis 3:19By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”
• Psalms 128:2You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!
• Ephesians 4:28If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you.
• Proverbs 1:10My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!
• Proverbs 4:14Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
• Proverbs 6:32But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself.
• Proverbs 7:7I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense.
• Proverbs 9:6Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”
• Proverbs 13:20Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
• Judges 9:4They gave him seventy silver coins from the temple of Baal-berith, which he used to hire some reckless troublemakers who agreed to follow him.

Commentaries on Proverbs 12:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11He that tilleth his land - God's blessing will be in the labor of the honest agriculturist. But he that followeth vain persons - He who, while he should be cultivating his ground, preparing for a future crop, or reaping his harvest, associates with fowlers, coursers of hares, hunters of foxes, or those engaged in any champaign amusements, is void of understanding; and I have known several such come to beggary. To this verse the Septuagint add the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11Verse 11 It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11This proverb is repeated with a different ending in Proverbs 28:19.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle (Pr 6:32; 7:7).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 12:11

• Company
• Fellowship
• Industry
• Vanity

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Cruel
• Happen
• Heaviness
• Pathway
• Poetry
• Reproof
• Vain
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

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