Proverbs 6:30
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
Original Language Analysis
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִגְנ֑וֹב
if he steal
H1589
יִגְנ֑וֹב
if he steal
Strong's:
H1589
Word #:
5 of 9
to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive
לְמַלֵּ֥א
to satisfy
H4390
לְמַלֵּ֥א
to satisfy
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
6 of 9
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ
his soul
H5315
נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ
his soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Historical Context
Ancient legal codes, including Mosaic Law, distinguished between theft from need versus theft from greed. Exodus 22:1-15 prescribed restitution for theft but recognized circumstances matter. Jean Valjean in Les Misérables embodies this principle - stealing bread for starving family evokes sympathy. But adultery has no such mitigating factor; it's pure moral failure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding context and circumstance affect your moral evaluation of others' sins?
- What sins do you commit that lack even the 'excuse' of necessity or hunger?
- How should awareness that your sins are inexcusable (unlike theft from hunger) affect repentance?
Analysis & Commentary
People don't despise a thief if he steals to satisfy hunger when starving. This verse introduces a comparison: even theft for survival, while still wrong, is somewhat understandable. The Hebrew 'buwz' (despise/hold in contempt) indicates that starving thief evokes some sympathy. The logic prepares for v.32's contrast: adultery lacks even this mitigating circumstance. It's not driven by necessity but by folly.