Proverbs 12:11
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
Original Language Analysis
עֹבֵ֣ד
He that tilleth
H5647
עֹבֵ֣ד
He that tilleth
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
1 of 8
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
shall be satisfied
H7646
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
shall be satisfied
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
3 of 8
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
לָ֑חֶם
with bread
H3899
לָ֑חֶם
with bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
4 of 8
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף
but he that followeth
H7291
וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף
but he that followeth
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
5 of 8
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
Cross References
Proverbs 28:19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.Proverbs 14:23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.Psalms 128:2For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.Ephesians 4:28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.Proverbs 9:6Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.2 Thessalonians 3:8Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:Proverbs 7:7And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,Proverbs 14:4Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.Genesis 3:19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.Proverbs 13:20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Historical Context
Agricultural society made the principle self-evident - farmers who worked their land ate; those who neglected farming to pursue foolish company went hungry.
Questions for Reflection
- Are you cultivating your 'field' through diligent labor or pursuing vain persons?
- What 'vain persons' are you following who are wasting your time and energy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He that tills his land shall be satisfied with bread, but he that follows vain persons is void of understanding. Farming one's land brings satisfaction through honest labor. Following worthless people (reqim - empty persons) demonstrates lack of sense. The contrast is between productive labor and wasted time pursuing or imitating foolish persons. Work brings satisfaction; idleness pursuing fools brings want.