Proverbs 11:25 kjv

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Proverbs 11:25 nkjv

The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 11:25 niv

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25 esv

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 11:25 nlt

The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 25 Meaning

Proverbs 11:25 teaches a profound principle of divine economy: those who are characterized by generosity and who actively refresh others will themselves experience abundance and be refreshed. It highlights a divine design where acts of benevolence lead to personal flourishing, indicating that giving away life and sustenance paradoxically results in receiving more of the same. The verse connects inner disposition ("generous soul") with outward action ("he who waters") and promises a reciprocal blessing as a result.

Proverbs 11 25 Context

Proverbs 11 belongs to the main body of Solomonic proverbs (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), which primarily consist of two-line verses presenting observations or instructions about living wisely. This chapter specifically highlights the stark contrast between righteousness and wickedness, justice and deceit, humility and pride, and crucially, generosity and selfishness. Verse 25 stands as a declaration of cause and effect within God's moral order. It falls within a sequence of proverbs emphasizing that upright conduct, including honest weights (v. 1), concern for others (v. 8-9), and giving (v. 24-25), leads to true life and stability, in contrast to the folly of the wicked, whose greed and self-serving actions ultimately bring ruin (v. 3, 5-7, 18, 26). The imagery of "watering" aligns with an agrarian society's deep appreciation for water as essential for life and prosperity, making the promise of being "watered" highly significant to the original audience.

Proverbs 11 25 Word analysis

• "generous": (Hebrew: נֶפֶשׁ בְּרָכָה, nephesh berakah)

  • Literally translates to "soul of blessing" or "blessing soul." This is more profound than simply performing generous acts.
  • Nephesh refers to the whole person, their very being, breath, or self.
  • Berakah means blessing, prosperity, a gift.
  • Significance: It indicates that the person is a source of blessing, a disposition of the heart, rather than just an occasional act. Their nature is to be a channel of divine goodness.

• "soul": (Hebrew: נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) - See above. It signifies the individual's entire personhood, character, and inner disposition. The generosity is rooted in who they are.

• "will be made rich" / "fattened": (Hebrew: יְדֻשָּׁן, yedushan)

  • Pual stem of the verb dashan, meaning "to be made fat," "to be enriched," "to become plump," or "to prosper."
  • Significance: The word choice implies thriving, abundance, vitality, and well-being. It goes beyond mere financial wealth, encompassing a robust and full life. The passive voice ("will be made rich") suggests that this enrichment is a divine act or a natural outcome of God's established order.

• "he who waters": (Hebrew: וּמַשְׁקֶה, umashkeh)

  • Hiphil participle of the verb shaqah, meaning "to give drink," "to water," "to irrigate," or "to cause to drink."
  • Significance: Denotes an active, intentional, and continuous effort to provide refreshment and sustenance to others. It is an act of nourishment, alleviating dryness or need.

• "will also be watered himself": (Hebrew: גַּם הוּא יֻשְׁקֶה, gam hu yushkeh)

  • Gam hu means "also he" or "himself."
  • Yushkeh is the Niphal imperfect of shaqah, meaning "will be watered," "will be given to drink."
  • Significance: Highlights the reciprocal nature of the principle. The act of providing refreshment will return directly to the giver. The passive voice implies that others (or God) will provide that refreshing to them.

Words-group analysis:

• "The generous soul" (nephesh berakah): This phrase describes the inherent character of the individual. It's not about outward show but an inner orientation towards being a blessing to others. It establishes the type of person who benefits from this proverb's truth.
• "will be made rich" (yedushan): This is the outcome of the generous character. The "fattening" signifies robust health, abundance, and prosperity in a holistic sense, often directly related to the act of giving.
• "he who waters" (umashkeh): This specific action, providing liquid and sustenance, illustrates the practical manifestation of generosity. It speaks of actively meeting others' needs, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical, bringing refreshment and life where there might be dryness.
• "will also be watered himself" (gam hu yushkeh): This powerful conclusion provides the direct and specific promise. The very act of providing refreshment to others ensures that the provider will also experience refreshment. It illustrates the divine principle of sowing and reaping, where the blessing one dispenses flows back to them.

Proverbs 11 25 Bonus section

The profound principle articulated in Proverbs 11:25 serves as a microcosm of God's character and His divine order for His creation. Just as God generously pours out life, blessings, and His Son, Jesus, upon humanity, He established that human flourishing also hinges on embracing this same principle of outgoing benevolence. It stands as a polemic against the natural human inclination towards selfishness and the worldly belief that one must accumulate to gain. Instead, it offers a counter-intuitive wisdom: the path to being "made rich" is through emptying oneself in service and blessing others. This proverb encompasses generosity beyond mere financial giving, extending to the sharing of time, talents, encouragement, empathy, and spiritual insights. The "watering" can metaphorically include providing emotional support, teaching God's Word, or simply offering a kind word, highlighting the broad scope of how one can refresh others and consequently receive refreshment oneself.

Proverbs 11 25 Commentary

Proverbs 11:25 reveals a core truth about God's design for human flourishing and the spiritual economy of His kingdom. It states that true abundance is not found in hoarding or self-preservation, but in generous outflow. The "generous soul" signifies someone whose very nature is oriented towards giving and blessing, not out of calculation but as an inherent disposition. This kind of person is promised to be "made rich," meaning to experience full, vital, and abundant life—a comprehensive well-being that includes, but is not limited to, material prosperity. The second part, "he who waters will also be watered himself," reiterates and specifies this principle using a vivid agrarian metaphor. To "water" signifies to provide sustenance, comfort, or life where there is need, dryness, or spiritual barrenness. This act of actively refreshing others leads to the remarkable consequence of personal refreshment, a replenishment of one's own resources, strength, and joy. This principle counters a worldly, self-focused mindset, asserting that God's grace ensures that the channels of giving remain filled, guaranteeing that those who generously pour out their lives for others will themselves be bountifully replenished by God or by the gratitude and reciprocal actions of others. It implies a cycle of divine provision and human benevolence, showcasing God's commitment to honor and sustain those who reflect His generous character.

Examples of practical usage:

• A Christian who consistently dedicates time and resources to mentorship will find their own understanding deepened and their spirit invigorated.
• A church that prioritizes reaching out to the community and serving its needs will experience growth and spiritual vitality within its congregation.
• An individual who freely shares their knowledge and wisdom with colleagues or friends will often find new insights emerging within themselves.