Proverbs 19:7
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
Original Language Analysis
כָּ֥ל
H3605
כָּ֥ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲחֵי
All the brethren
H251
אֲחֵי
All the brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
2 of 13
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אַ֤ף
H637
אַ֤ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
5 of 13
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָחֲק֣וּ
go far
H7368
רָחֲק֣וּ
go far
Strong's:
H7368
Word #:
8 of 13
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֑נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מְרַדֵּ֖ף
from him he pursueth
H7291
מְרַדֵּ֖ף
from him he pursueth
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
10 of 13
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
Cross References
Proverbs 19:4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.Psalms 38:11My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.Proverbs 18:23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.Proverbs 21:13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.Psalms 88:18Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.Psalms 88:8Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.Proverbs 14:20The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.James 2:6But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Historical Context
Reflects ancient kinship-based society where even family ties strained under economic pressure. The poor experienced comprehensive social rejection, compounding their material suffering with relational isolation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond to family members or friends experiencing poverty and its social stigma?
- What fear of poverty's social consequences motivates your economic decisions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All the brethren of the poor do hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him? He pursues them with words, yet they are wanting to him. Poverty alienates even family; friends distance themselves despite the poor person's appeals. The threefold intensification (brothers hate, friends depart, words fail to recall them) emphasizes the isolation poverty produces. This verse indicts human nature while warning about poverty's social consequences. It should move us to compassion for the marginalized rather than join their abandonment.