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 have little honor and a servant than to have glory and no bread. 10A righteous person cares for the life of his animal, yet even the compassion of the wicked is cruel. The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks sense. 12The wicked covets the loot of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13An evil one is ensnared by the sin of lips, but the righteous one escapes 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 13:23The fallow field of the poor yields much food, but it is swept away by injustice.
• Proverbs 14:4Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean, but from the strength of the ox comes an abundant harvest.
• Proverbs 27:27There will be enough goats’ milk for food and food for your household, and sustenance for your maidservants.
• Proverbs 28:19Whoever works his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
• Genesis 3:19By the sweat of your brow will you eat food, until you return to the ground, since from it were you taken. For you are dust, and to dust will you return.”
• Psalms 128:2for you will eat the labor of your hands. You will be blessed and it will be good for you.
• Ephesians 4:28The one who steals must steal no longer—instead he must work, doing something useful with his own hands, so he may have something to share with the one who has need.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11and aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, just as we directed you—
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8And we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but worked night and day with labor and hardship, so as not to burden any of you.
• Proverbs 1:10My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in.
• Proverbs 4:14Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil people.
• Proverbs 6:32He who commits adultery with a woman lacks sense. Whoever does so destroys himself.
• Proverbs 7:7I saw among the naïve, I noticed among the youth, a young man lacking understanding,
• Proverbs 9:6Abandon your foolish ways and live! Walk in the way of understanding.”
• Proverbs 13:20He who walks with wise men is wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
• Judges 9:4So they gave him 70 pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech then hired idle and reckless fellows, who followed 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