Proverbs 14:4

Proverbs 14:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
• New International Version (NIV)Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

Context of Proverbs 14:4

2Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him. 3A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe. Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. 5An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies. 6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.

Proverbs 14:4 word by word

בְּאֵ֣ין אֲ֭לָפִים אֵב֣וּס בָּ֑ר וְרָב־תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת בְּכֹ֣חַ שֽׁוֹר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Where no oxenאֶ֫לֶף'eleph · cattleH504
• the cribאֵבוּס'êbûs · cribH18
• cleanבַּרbar · pureH1249
• but muchרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• increaseתְּבוּאָהtebû'âh · produceH8393
• by the strengthכֹּחַkôach kôach · strengthH3581
• of the oxשׁוֹרshôr · cattleH7794

Cross-references for Proverbs 14:4

• Amos 4:6“I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.
• Proverbs 13:23A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.
• 1 Corinthians 9:9For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this?

Commentaries on Proverbs 14:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4But much increase is by the strength of the ox - The ox is the most profitable of all the beasts used in husbandry. Except merely for speed, he is almost in every respect superior to the horse. He is longer lived. Scarcely liable to any diseases. He is steady, and always pulls fair in his gears. He lives, fattens, and maintains his strength on what a horse will not eat, and therefore is supported on one third the cost. His manure is more profitable. When…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4i. e., Labor has its rough, unpleasant side, yet it ends in profit. So also, the life of contemplation may seem purer, “cleaner “than that of action. The outer business of the world brings its cares and disturbances, but also “much increase.” There will be a sure reward of that activity in good works for him who goes, as with “the strength of the ox,” to the task to which God calls him.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 There can be no advantage without something which, though of little moment, will affright the indolent.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4It is easy to keep a stable clean if it is empty, but a farmer without an ox cannot harvest crops.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. crib is clean--empty; so "cleanness of teeth" denotes want of food (compare Am 4:6). Men get the proper fruit of their doings (Ga 6:7).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 14:4

• Bullock
• Crib
• Industry

In the dictionaries

• Backslider
• Confident
• Crib
• Easy
• Envious
• Hasty
• Mock
• Poetry
• Prudent
• Rich

Commentaries on Proverbs 14

• 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