Proverbs 13:23
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
Original Language Analysis
נִ֣יר
is in the tillage
H5215
נִ֣יר
is in the tillage
Strong's:
H5215
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, plowing, i.e., (concretely) freshly plowed land
וְיֵ֥שׁ
but there is
H3426
וְיֵ֥שׁ
but there is
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
5 of 8
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה
that is destroyed
H5595
נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה
that is destroyed
Strong's:
H5595
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r
Cross References
Proverbs 12:11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.Proverbs 28:19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.Ecclesiastes 5:9Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.Psalms 112:5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
Historical Context
Ancient agricultural societies experienced wealth concentration. Powerful landowners accumulated property while the poor lost ancestral lands through debt, drought, or oppression. Mosaic Law included provisions to protect the poor: Jubilee land restoration (Leviticus 25), gleaning rights (Leviticus 19:9-10), interest-free loans (Exodus 22:25), and just weights/measures (Deuteronomy 25:13-15). These laws prevented the poor from being "destroyed for want of judgment." When Israel abandoned these protections, prophets denounced the injustice.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might modern systems or personal practices contribute to the poor being 'destroyed for want of judgment'?
- How can Christians work for economic justice that allows the poor to develop their productive potential?
- What does pursuing 'judgment' (justice and fair dealing) look like in your business, employment, or economic decisions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This proverb addresses economic injustice and poor stewardship. "Much food is in the tillage of the poor" observes productive potential. Rav-okhel nir rashim (רָב־אֹכֶל נִיר רָשִׁים, much food in the unplowed ground of the poor). Even poor people's unplowed land (nir, נִיר) could yield abundant food (okhel, אֹכֶל) if properly cultivated. Poverty isn't always due to lazy unproductivity—sometimes poor people lack resources to develop their land's potential.
"But there is that is destroyed for want of judgment" warns of ruin through injustice. Veyesh nispheh belo mishpat (וְיֵשׁ נִסְפֶּה בְּלֹא מִשְׁפָּט, and there is one swept away for lack of justice). Safah (סָפָה, swept away, destroyed) happens due to lack of mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט, justice, judgment, proper administration). Either the poor are destroyed by unjust systems preventing them from working their land, or the unjust are destroyed by their own corruption.
The proverb highlights systemic injustice. The poor possess productive capacity, but unjust systems—corrupt courts, oppressive taxation, exploitative labor practices—prevent them from flourishing. Isaiah 5:8 condemned those who "add house to house" and "field to field," concentrating wealth. Amos denounced oppression of the poor (Amos 5:11-12). James 5:1-6 warned the rich who defrauded laborers. Jesus proclaimed good news to the poor (Luke 4:18). Christians must pursue economic justice, ensuring systems allow the poor to develop their productive potential rather than being swept away by injustice.