Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 13:23
23The fallow field of the poor yields much food, but it is swept away by injustice.
Proverbs 13:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
- New International Version (NIV)An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste.
Context of Proverbs 13:23
21Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous. 22A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. The fallow field of the poor yields much food, but it is swept away by injustice. 24He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent with discipline. 25The righteous eats to his heart’s content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
Read all of Proverbs 13Proverbs 13:23 word by word
רָב־אֹ֭כֶל נִ֣יר רָאשִׁ֑ים וְיֵ֥שׁ נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה בְּלֹ֣א מִשְׁפָּֽט׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Muchרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
- foodאֹ֫כֶל'ôkel · foodH400
- the tillageנִירnîyr nir · fallow groundH5215
- of the poorרוּשׁrûsh · be poorH7326
- of the poorרֹאשׁrô'sh · headH7218
- but there isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
- destroyedסָפָהsâphâh · to snatchH5595
- for wantלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
- of judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941
Cross-references for Proverbs 13:23
- Proverbs 12:11The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks sense.
- Proverbs 27:18Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, whoever takes care of his master will be honored.
- Proverbs 28:19Whoever works his land will be satisfied with food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
- Ecclesiastes 5:9A lover of money never has enough money, and a lover of wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is futile.
- Proverbs 6:6Go to the ant, you slacker— consider its ways and be wise!
- Proverbs 11:5The righteousness of the blameless man makes his way straight, but the wicked man is brought down by his wickedness.
- Psalms 112:5Good comes to a man who is gracious and lends. He will order his affairs with fairness.
- Ecclesiastes 8:5Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm, and a wise person’s heart discerns the proper time and procedure.
- Jeremiah 8:7Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed times, and the turtledove, swallow and crane observe the time of their migration, but My people do not know the judgments of Adonai.
Commentaries on Proverbs 13:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23That is destroyed for want of judgment - O, how much of the poverty of the poor arises from their own want of management! They have little or no economy, and no foresight. When they get any thing, they speedily spend it; and a feast and a famine make the chief varieties of their life.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23The contrast is the ever recurring one between honest poverty and dishonest wealth. “The new-plowed field of the poor is much food, but there are those, who, though rich, perish through their disregard of right.”Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 The poor, yet industrious, thrive, though in a homely manner, while those who have great riches are often brought to poverty for want of judgment.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Hard work does not always lead to success (see Proverbs 10:426; 12:11; 13:4) because injustice exists in the world.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 13:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 13
- 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
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