Proverbs 28:19

Authorized King James Version

PDF

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

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
אַ֭דְמָתוֹ his land H127
אַ֭דְמָתוֹ his land
Strong's: H127
Word #: 2 of 8
soil (from its general redness)
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע shall have plenty H7646
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע shall have plenty
Strong's: H7646
Word #: 3 of 8
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
לָ֑חֶם of bread H3899
לָ֑חֶם of bread
Strong's: H3899
Word #: 4 of 8
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וּמְרַדֵּ֥ף but he that followeth H7291
וּמְרַדֵּ֥ף but he that followeth
Strong's: H7291
Word #: 5 of 8
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
רֵ֝יקִ֗ים after vain H7386
רֵ֝יקִ֗ים after vain
Strong's: H7386
Word #: 6 of 8
empty; figuratively, worthless
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע shall have plenty H7646
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע shall have plenty
Strong's: H7646
Word #: 7 of 8
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
רִֽישׁ׃ persons shall have poverty enough H7389
רִֽישׁ׃ persons shall have poverty enough
Strong's: H7389
Word #: 8 of 8
poverty

Analysis & Commentary

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread (עֹבֵד אַדְמָתוֹ יִשְׂבַּע־לָחֶם, oved admato yisba-lachem)—עָבַד (avad, 'to work, serve, till') the אֲדָמָה (adamah, 'ground, land, soil') produces שָׂבַע (sava, 'abundance, satisfaction') of לֶחֶם (lechem, 'bread, food'). This repeats Proverbs 12:11, emphasizing that honest labor yields provision. From Eden, humanity's mandate included work (Genesis 2:15); the curse made it toilsome (Genesis 3:17-19), but diligence still brings reward.

But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough (וּמְרַדֵּף רֵיקִים יִשְׂבַּע־רִישׁ, umraddaf reiqim yisba-rish)—רָדַף (radaf, 'to pursue, chase after') רֵיק (req, 'empty, vain, worthless') people leads to שָׂבַע (sava, 'abundance') of רֵישׁ (resh, 'poverty, want'). Ironic parallelism: diligence brings plenty; chasing fantasies brings plenty—of poverty. Proverbs 13:20 warns: 'He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.'

Historical Context

Ancient Israel's agricultural economy made the contrast vivid: the farmer who worked his field prospered; the fool who chased schemes or loafed with idlers faced destitution. Paul's missionary work included tentmaking (Acts 18:3); he commanded, 'If any would not work, neither should he eat' (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Questions for Reflection