Proverbs 1:19 kjv

So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Proverbs 1:19 nkjv

So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.

Proverbs 1:19 niv

Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.

Proverbs 1:19 esv

Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.

Proverbs 1:19 nlt

Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;
it robs them of life.

Proverbs 1 verses

Proverbs 1 19 Meaning

Proverbs 1:19 conveys a solemn warning about the destructive consequences of pursuing dishonest gain. It states that the life of those who seek and acquire wealth through violent or unjust means will inevitably be taken away or consumed by that very pursuit. The verse highlights a principle of divine justice: what one wrongfully obtains for oneself ultimately leads to their ruin, robbing them of true life, peace, and often, even physical existence. It serves as a direct counsel against greed and illicit activities.

Proverbs 1 19 Context

Proverbs 1:19 concludes a pivotal introductory section in the book of Proverbs (1:8-19), where the father issues his first urgent warning to his son. This warning is against "sinners" or violent individuals who lie in wait to shed blood and seize plunder (verses 10-14). They entice the young man to join their schemes for quick and illicit gain, describing the immense "spoil" they will obtain (verses 13-14). The father's advice is clear: do not walk in their way (verse 15), for they are eager to do evil (verse 16), but their efforts are futile and ultimately self-destructive, like setting a net in plain sight of a bird (verse 17). Verse 19, then, directly pronounces the inevitable fate of these "gain by violence" schemes: the very gain sought becomes the instrument of their self-destruction, taking away their own lives. Historically and culturally, the Old Testament strongly condemns violence, theft, and oppression, viewing justice as a core attribute of God and a requirement for a flourishing society.

Proverbs 1 19 Word analysis

• Such (Ken): This adverb connects the verse directly to the preceding description of the violent and deceitful path. It signifies certainty and the inevitable nature of the described outcome. It's an affirmation: "Indeed," or "thus it is."
• are the paths (ʾorḥot): The plural form of ʾoraḥ, referring to a chosen way of life, course of action, or habitual conduct. It implies a trajectory or destiny resulting from one's choices, emphasizing a sustained pattern of behavior rather than an isolated act. It highlights the established moral and spiritual direction a person takes.
• of all (kol): Denotes universality; this consequence applies to every person who follows such a way, regardless of status or perceived success.
• who gain (boṭeʿa): From the verb bāṣaʿ, meaning "to cut off," "to gain violently," "to be greedy for," or "to act oppressively for profit." It describes someone who unjustly severs or takes something for personal gain. It goes beyond simple profit to imply a greedy, grasping, or violent acquisition.
• by violence / unjust gain (baṣaʿ): The noun form, signifying illegal or dishonest profit, plunder, extortion, or covetousness. It specifies the illicit and often aggressive nature of the gain. It is profit acquired through means contrary to justice and righteousness.
• it takes away (yiqqāḥ): From the verb lāqaḥ, "to take," "to seize," "to obtain." The subject "it" refers back to the baṣaʿ (unjust gain) or perhaps the "paths" themselves, suggesting that the very object or method of their pursuit actively becomes the agent of destruction. It is an active and decisive consequence.
• the life (nefeš): A broad Hebrew term meaning "soul," "self," "life," "being," or "person." Here, it signifies physical life (given the context of ambushes and violence), but also encompasses well-being, vitality, true fulfillment, and spiritual essence. The loss of nefeš means ruin, destruction, and ultimate failure.
• of those who have it / its possessors (beʿalayv): Literally "its masters" or "its owners." Refers to those who acquire and hold the ill-gotten gain. This emphasizes that the destructive consequence falls directly upon the one who commits the wrong and possesses the fruit of their wrong. The irony is profound: they seize what they want, but in doing so, they become dispossessed of themselves.

Words-group analysis:

• "Such are the paths of all who gain": This phrase asserts that there is an unavoidable, fixed outcome for a certain way of living. It universalizes the warning: this destiny is for everyone engaged in such activities. The chosen path defines the destination.
• "gain by violence / unjust gain": This specifically identifies the forbidden means and object: wealth acquired through unrighteous, aggressive, or deceptive methods. It highlights that the problem isn't wealth itself, but the way it's obtained and the spirit of covetousness behind it.
• "it takes away the life of those who have it / its possessors": This is the core paradox and tragic conclusion. The very "gain" (the seemingly beneficial acquisition) becomes the agent that "takes away the life" of the person who pursued and possesses it. What they thought would enrich them actually impoverishes and destroys their true self.

Proverbs 1 19 Bonus section

The "it" in "it takes away the life" is a powerful personification. The unjust gain (baṣaʿ) is depicted almost as a living entity that turns on its accumulator, consuming them. This illustrates a self-perpetuating cycle where the sinful pursuit itself becomes the instrument of retribution, rather than merely an external punishment. It suggests an internal consequence inherent in the very nature of unrighteousness. This warning serves as a foundational ethical principle within Proverbs, urging wisdom's listeners to choose paths of integrity for true and lasting life.

Proverbs 1 19 Commentary

Proverbs 1:19 succinctly encapsulates a foundational principle of the moral universe: a life built on covetousness, violence, and unjust gain inevitably leads to self-destruction. The "paths" refer to the chosen lifestyle of such individuals, demonstrating that sin is not merely an isolated act but a destructive direction that becomes a consuming force. The immediate context clarifies that "taking away life" can indeed mean literal death, as those who scheme for blood and plunder often become victims of their own violence or face societal justice.

However, "life" (nefeš) in a broader sense encompasses a person's entire well-being – peace, integrity, reputation, relationship with God, and even eternal destiny. Thus, the verse warns that unjust gain ultimately deprives its possessor of genuine life in all its dimensions. The very object of their desire turns against them. The transient thrill or temporary prosperity of ill-gotten wealth comes at the ultimate cost of one's essence. This serves as a critical moral anchor in Proverbs, demonstrating that true profit is not found in dishonest material gain but in righteous living and fearing the Lord.

Examples for practical usage:

• A person who achieves financial success through fraud might find their reputation ruined, relationships broken, and inner peace lost, illustrating a form of life taken away.
• Joining criminal activities for money might result in imprisonment or violence, representing the direct loss of freedom and potentially physical life.
• Individuals constantly striving for more through exploitative means can become consumed by their greed, sacrificing family, health, and moral integrity for fleeting material possessions.