Proverbs 12:11 kjv

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Proverbs 12:11 nkjv

He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

Proverbs 12:11 niv

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.

Proverbs 12:11 esv

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

Proverbs 12:11 nlt

A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.

Proverbs 12 verses

Proverbs 12 11 Meaning

Proverbs 12:11 teaches that diligence in practical and productive labor leads to sufficiency and blessing, while pursuing baseless or idle schemes reveals a profound lack of wisdom and understanding. It contrasts the stable, beneficial outcome of honest effort with the futility and deprivation that result from unrealistic, ungrounded endeavors.

Proverbs 12 11 Context

Proverbs 12 belongs to a collection of Solomon's proverbs (Prov 10:1-22:16) which frequently contrasts the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, diligence and laziness. This chapter emphasizes the importance of integrity, hard work, and responsible speech, warning against deceit, idleness, and gossip. Proverbs 12:11 specifically highlights the economic and existential consequences of practical diligence versus theoretical folly, framing it within an agricultural society where land was the primary source of livelihood and wealth. The historical and cultural context underscores the value placed on self-sufficiency and the tangible results of labor, contrasting it with speculative ventures or wishful thinking that yield nothing. It reflects a practical theology where divine blessing often aligns with responsible human action.

Proverbs 12 11 Word analysis

• עֹבֵד (ʿōḇēḏ): "He who works" or "cultivates." From the root ʿāḇad, meaning to work, serve, or cultivate. Implies diligent, consistent effort and responsibility, suggesting engagement in productive activity rather than mere presence.
• אַדְמָתוֹ (ʾaḏmātō): "his land" or "his ground." Refers to one's sphere of cultivation or responsibility. In ancient agrarian societies, land was foundational to life and sustenance, symbolizing the primary, legitimate means of provision. "His" implies a personal investment and stewardship of what is given or owned.
• יִשְׂבַּע־לָחֶם (yiśbaʿ-lāḥem): "will have abundant food" or "will be satisfied with bread." Yišbaʿ means "will be full, satisfied, have plenty." Lāḥem means "bread," often used metonymically for food or general sustenance. Signifies sufficiency, security, and well-being as a direct result of diligence, rather than immense wealth.
• וּמְרַדֵּף (ūməraḏêp): "but he who chases" or "pursues." This depicts a persistent, active pursuit. The Hebrew verb rāḏap often carries a connotation of relentless, sometimes misguided, chase.
• רֵקִים (rêqîm): "empty things," "vain things," "futilities," "fantasies." From the root rûq, meaning "to empty." It signifies things devoid of substance, value, or reality; unproductive schemes, illusions, or unproductive distractions. It points to a misguided focus on non-existent or unattainable gain.
• חֲסַר־לֵב (ḥasar-lêḇ): "lacks judgment" or "devoid of understanding," "senseless." Ḥasar means "lacks" or "is deficient." Lēḇ (heart) in Hebrew thought represents the inner person—intellect, will, moral capacity, and discernment. Therefore, "lacks heart" means lacking practical wisdom, discernment, prudence, or sound judgment necessary to make wise life choices.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "He who works his land will have abundant food": This phrase establishes a direct, cause-and-effect relationship between diligent, tangible effort (working one's entrusted sphere) and assured, sufficient provision. It affirms the principle that legitimate labor is blessed and yields sustenance.
• "but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment": This contrasting phrase exposes the folly and deficiency of character of those who seek prosperity through unproductive, speculative, or unrealistic means. Their pursuits are defined by emptiness, and their very inclination towards such paths demonstrates a fundamental flaw in their discerning faculty (heart). The contrast is sharp between the tangible results of effort and the utter lack that stems from a foolish pursuit of the unsubstantial.

Proverbs 12 11 Bonus section

This proverb speaks to the God-ordained nature of work as a primary means of human provision, stemming from the commands in Gen 2:15 for Adam to work the Garden. It underscores that spiritual wisdom (the 'heart') is intrinsically linked to practical wisdom, especially in the stewardship of resources and time. The "land" can be interpreted not only as literal soil but metaphorically as any realm of responsibility—family, talent, ministry, finances—where diligent stewardship yields positive, substantial fruit. The pursuit of "empty things" is often tied to a desire for quick gratification or avoiding the disciplined effort that genuine provision requires, ultimately revealing a moral and intellectual void. This proverb beautifully illustrates the "path" metaphor common in Proverbs: two distinct ways of living lead to vastly different outcomes, with wisdom guiding one to the path of honest labor and fools gravitating towards illusion and futility.

Proverbs 12 11 Commentary

Proverbs 12:11 stands as a powerful axiom promoting practical wisdom and diligence in contrast to idleness or misguided pursuits. It extols the virtues of tangible, consistent labor as the dependable path to livelihood and contentment. Working one's land signifies applying oneself to real, productive tasks within one's sphere of responsibility. The reward is not necessarily luxury but "abundant food" – sufficiency and security, highlighting God's faithfulness to provide for diligent hands.

Conversely, "chasing fantasies" describes investing time and energy in ventures that are ultimately empty, unsubstantial, or divorced from reality. This could refer to get-rich-quick schemes, idleness that expects gain without effort, or chasing speculative and unprofitable endeavors. Such pursuits are not merely unwise but indicate a deep-seated deficiency of "judgment" or "heart" (lēḇ), meaning a lack of sound practical understanding, moral discernment, and common sense. True wisdom directs individuals toward proven, productive paths rather than speculative, futile ones. This proverb, therefore, is a call to grounded, responsible living, echoing biblical principles of labor and stewardship over dreams of unearned prosperity.

• Practical Usage Example 1: A young person contemplating investing all savings in a highly speculative, unproven online scheme versus continuing to work consistently and save wisely in their current job. The proverb warns against chasing empty promises over tangible effort.
• Practical Usage Example 2: A community grappling with food insecurity; the proverb would encourage practical agricultural development or job creation rather than relying solely on wishful thinking or unsustainable charity.