Proverbs 29:7
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
Original Language Analysis
יֹדֵ֣עַ
considereth
H3045
יֹדֵ֣עַ
considereth
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 8
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
דִּ֣ין
the cause
H1779
דִּ֣ין
the cause
Strong's:
H1779
Word #:
3 of 8
judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife
דַּלִּ֑ים
of the poor
H1800
דַּלִּ֑ים
of the poor
Strong's:
H1800
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin
רָ֝שָׁ֗ע
but the wicked
H7563
רָ֝שָׁ֗ע
but the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
5 of 8
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Job 29:16I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.Psalms 41:1Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.Proverbs 21:13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.Job 31:21If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:Job 31:13If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;Jeremiah 5:28They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.Galatians 6:1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Historical Context
Israel's Torah commanded special protection for the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners (Exodus 22:21-27, Deuteronomy 15:7-11). Proverbs reinforced this covenant obligation as wisdom. The king was expected to be the defender of the defenseless, making concern for the poor a mark of righteous leadership.
Questions for Reflection
- How actively do you 'consider the cause' of the marginalized—investigating their circumstances rather than making assumptions?
- What systems or attitudes in your life reflect the wicked's refusal to 'know' the plight of the poor?
- How does understanding justice as 'knowing' the situation of the vulnerable change your approach to charity and advocacy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor (יֹדֵעַ צַדִּיק דִּין דַּלִּים)—the verb yada (to know) implies more than intellectual awareness; it denotes intimate, experiential knowledge. The righteous person knows the legal case (din) of the impoverished (dalim, those brought low). This is covenant loyalty expressed through justice.
Meanwhile, the wicked regardeth not to know it (רָשָׁע לֹא־יָבִין דָּעַת)—the wicked willfully refuses understanding. The Hebrew construction emphasizes active rejection of knowledge. This isn't ignorance but moral blindness. James 2:14-17 echoes this: faith without works toward the poor is dead. Jesus will judge nations by how they treated 'the least of these' (Matthew 25:31-46).