Proverbs 3:10
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Original Language Analysis
וְיִמָּלְא֣וּ
be filled
H4390
וְיִמָּלְא֣וּ
be filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
1 of 6
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
וְ֝תִיר֗וֹשׁ
with new wine
H8492
וְ֝תִיר֗וֹשׁ
with new wine
Strong's:
H8492
Word #:
4 of 6
must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine
Cross References
Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Deuteronomy 28:8The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.Proverbs 22:9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.Joel 2:24And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.Matthew 10:42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.Haggai 2:19Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's agrarian economy made grain and wine harvest success matters of survival. Tithing and firstfruits offering demonstrated trust that God, not human effort alone, provides. This required faith - would giving away first and best leave enough? God promises that honoring Him never results in lack.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your giving reflect trust in God's provision versus fear of scarcity?
- What would it look like to honor God with the 'firstfruits' of your income before allocating to other expenses?
- How might generous giving actually increase your overall prosperity in ways beyond merely financial?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse promises agricultural abundance to those who honor God with their wealth (v. 9). The Hebrew 'male' (filled) suggests overflowing abundance, not merely sufficiency. God's economic principle is generosity producing multiplication - not scarcity mentality but faith that giving to God increases rather than depletes. This anticipates Malachi 3:10's promise and Luke 6:38's principle that generous measure returns to generous givers.