Proverbs - 28:19



19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Proverbs 28:19.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons'shall have poverty enough.
He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness shall be filled with poverty.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless shall have poverty enough.
Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied with bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled with poverty.
He that tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
He that tilleth his ground shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain things shall have poverty enough.
Whoever works his land shall be satisfied with bread. But whoever pursues leisure will be filled with need.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

He that tilleth his land - See Proverbs 12:11.

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread,.... Or, "shall he filled" or "satisfied with bread" (s): shall have bread enough, and to spare; provisions of all sorts, and in great plenty; See Gill on Proverbs 12:11;
but he that followeth, after vain persons; empty idle persons; keeps company and spends his time with them, when he should be about the business of his calling:
shall have poverty enough; or be "filled with it" (t); he shall be exceeding poor, reduced to the utmost distress, be clothed in rags and destitute of daily food.
(s) "saturabitur pane", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Schultens. (t) "satiabitur", Tigurine version, Mercerus, Cocceius, Michaelis; "saturabitur", Pagninus, Montanus, Gejerus, Schultens.

Those who are diligent, take the way to live comfortably.

(Compare Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 20:4).
vain persons--idle, useless drones, implying that they are also wicked (Proverbs 12:11; Psalm 26:4).

19 He who cultivateth his land is satisfied with bread,
And he that graspeth after vanities is satisfied with poverty.
A variation of Proverbs 12:11. The pred. here corresponds to its contrast. On רישׁ (here and at Proverbs 31:7), instead of the more frequent ראשׁ, cf. Proverbs 10:4.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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