Proverbs 10:3
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְ֭הוָה
The LORD
H3068
יְ֭הוָה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נֶ֣פֶשׁ
the soul
H5315
נֶ֣פֶשׁ
the soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְהַוַּ֖ת
the substance
H1942
וְהַוַּ֖ת
the substance
Strong's:
H1942
Word #:
6 of 8
by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin
Cross References
Psalms 37:25I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.Psalms 37:3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.Psalms 33:19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.Psalms 37:19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.Zephaniah 1:18Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.Job 5:20In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.Isaiah 33:16He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.Luke 12:31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.Psalms 112:10The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.Job 20:28The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
Historical Context
Solomon wrote during Israel's golden age (c. 970-931 BC), when covenant faithfulness brought material blessing under the Mosaic economy. The agricultural society depended on God's provision through seasonal rains and harvests. Famine was both a natural disaster and often divine judgment (Deuteronomy 28:15-24). This proverb would have resonated deeply with Israelites who understood God's covenant promises of blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to sustain the righteous comfort you when facing material need or uncertainty?
- In what ways might we rely on our own 'substance' rather than trusting God's provision?
- How does Jesus as the Bread of Life fulfill this proverb's deeper spiritual meaning?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This proverb establishes God's sovereign providence over the righteous and wicked. The Hebrew ra'ev (רָעֵב, "to famish") denotes extreme hunger and deprivation. The LORD (Yahweh) actively intervenes—"will not suffer" (lo-yariv, לֹא־יַרְעִיב) demonstrates divine commitment to sustain His people. This echoes Psalm 37:25: "I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
The contrast reveals two destinies: God preserves the righteous from spiritual and physical starvation, while He "casteth away" (yadach, יֶהְדָּח, meaning to thrust away, reject) the "substance" (havvah, הַוַּה, desire or craving) of the wicked. Their wealth and desires ultimately fail them. Reformed theology sees this as common grace tempered by divine justice—the wicked may prosper temporarily, but God ensures their substance does not satisfy eternally.
Jesus echoes this principle in Matthew 6:25-33, urging disciples not to worry about provisions because the Father knows their needs. The truly righteous hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and shall be filled—not with temporal bread alone, but with Christ, the Bread of Life (John 6:35).