Proverbs 13:25 kjv
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Proverbs 13:25 nkjv
The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
Proverbs 13:25 niv
The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Proverbs 13:25 esv
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
Proverbs 13:25 nlt
The godly eat to their hearts' content,
but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
Proverbs 13 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 37:25 | I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken... | God provides for the righteous, never forsaking them. |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added... | Prioritizing God's righteousness brings all necessities. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | God fully supplies needs for His faithful. |
| Ps 23:1 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. | Trusting God brings contentment and lack of want. |
| Lk 12:22-31 | Consider the ravens... how much more will he clothe you... seek first his kingdom. | God's provision for those who seek His kingdom. |
| Prov 10:3 | The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. | Direct contrast: God feeds the righteous, denies wicked. |
| Prov 28:25 | The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper. | Trust in God brings prosperity and fulfillment. |
| Ps 34:10 | The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. | Seekers of the Lord are free from lack. |
| Isa 57:21 | There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked. | The wicked find no true peace or satisfaction. |
| Job 18:5-21 | The light of the wicked is put out; the flame of his fire does not shine. | Description of the ruin and want of the wicked. |
| Prov 11:5 | The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. | Righteousness secures, wickedness leads to ruin. |
| Prov 21:25 | The craving of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. | Unwillingness to work leads to hunger and death. |
| Deut 28:15,48 | But if you will not obey... you shall serve your enemies... in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and utter poverty... | Disobedience leads to curses, including hunger and want. |
| Jn 6:35 | I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. | Christ provides ultimate spiritual satisfaction. |
| Ps 42:1-2 | As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God... | Soul's deep yearning for God, met by Him alone. |
| Jer 31:25 | For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. | God promises to satisfy and replenish the soul. |
| Ps 63:1 | O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you... | Deep spiritual hunger for God. |
| Prov 6:10-11 | A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come... | Lack of diligence leads to destitution. |
| Prov 20:4 | The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. | Idleness results in lack during harvest time. |
| Matt 5:6 | Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. | Righteousness-seekers will find true satisfaction. |
| Rev 7:16 | They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore... | Promise of ultimate satisfaction in heaven. |
| Lk 6:21 | Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. | Reversal of earthly suffering into heavenly satisfaction. |
Proverbs 13 verses
Proverbs 13 25 Meaning
This proverb highlights the contrasting experiences of the righteous and the wicked concerning fundamental provision and satisfaction. The righteous, those who live in accordance with God's ways, find complete and deep fulfillment for their very being, indicating that their needs, both physical and spiritual, are met. In contrast, the wicked, those who reject divine principles, will perpetually experience a profound sense of lack, an unquenchable void or hunger, regardless of any material possessions they may acquire.
Proverbs 13 25 Context
Proverbs chapter 13 is a collection of wisdom sayings that frequently contrasts the wise with the foolish and the righteous with the wicked, highlighting the different outcomes of their choices and characters. The verse immediately precedes other sayings that deal with various aspects of living wisely or foolishly, such as the value of discipline, the fleeting nature of ill-gotten gains, and the benefits of walking with the wise. Within the broader biblical context, the imagery of eating and hunger often extends beyond mere physical sustenance to represent spiritual well-being, satisfaction, and divine blessing or judgment. Historically and culturally in ancient Israel, where agricultural life was central and famine a real threat, food security was a profound measure of divine favor and human flourishing. The verse implicitly asserts that adherence to God's laws (righteousness) ultimately leads to fullness of life, contrasting with the inherent emptiness found in wickedness, challenging any belief that material gain through unrighteous means truly satisfies.
Proverbs 13 25 Word analysis
- The righteous (צַדִּיק, tzaddiq): One who is just, upright, conforming to God's moral standard and law. It implies integrity, obedience, and alignment with divine will, rather than simply outward observance or ritual.
- eats (אֹכֵל, okhel): To consume food; a literal act, but in this context, it signifies the experiencing of sustenance, benefit, and enjoyment. It denotes the availability and partaking of provisions.
- to the satisfying (לְשׂוֹבַע, l'sova): To fullness, satiety, complete abundance. It suggests not just having enough, but being thoroughly filled and content, with no further craving or need. This satisfaction goes beyond physical hunger to deep inner contentment.
- of his soul (נַפְשׁוֹ, nafsho): Soul, self, life, vital essence, being, appetite, desire. This is significant because it indicates a deep, holistic satisfaction that permeates one's entire being, including their deepest desires and spirit, not merely physical gratification.
- but the belly (וּבֶטֶן, u'beten): Belly, abdomen, inner being, often representing a person's inner desires, cravings, or even greed. It points to the core appetite or deepest longings.
- of the wicked (רְשָׁעִים, resha'im): Evildoers, ungodly, those who deliberately choose evil, defy God, and oppress others. They are contrasted with the "tzaddiq."
- will be in want (תֶּחְסָר, teḥsar): To lack, be deficient, to suffer need or hunger. This signifies a state of perpetual craving, unfulfillment, and an inherent absence of true satisfaction, irrespective of external conditions.
Words-group analysis:
- "The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul": This phrase encapsulates a profound truth: righteousness leads to holistic fulfillment. "Eats" implies receiving and benefiting from divine provision, and "to the satisfying of his soul" clarifies that this satisfaction isn't superficial but penetrates to the very core of one's being (soul). It implies spiritual peace and contentment beyond physical satiation.
- "but the belly of the wicked will be in want": This sharply contrasts with the previous clause. "Belly" here metaphorically represents the insatiable desires or carnal cravings of the wicked. Despite their pursuits (often selfish and destructive), their deep desires ("belly") remain unfulfilled. Their ultimate condition is one of perpetual need, an unending, gnawing hunger for what they can never truly obtain or appreciate due to their rebellion against God.
Proverbs 13 25 Bonus section
This proverb communicates a timeless truth about inner contentment. The righteous may experience seasons of literal hunger or hardship, but their souls remain satisfied in God, demonstrating trust and peace in His providence (as seen in Lk 6:21 or Heb 13:5). Conversely, the wicked may appear to feast and accumulate wealth, yet they suffer from an unfulfilled "belly" – an insatiable appetite for more, leading to spiritual barrenness and dissatisfaction. The verse underscores that true provision and fulfillment are not merely physical but deeply spiritual, emanating from one's alignment with divine order. The ultimate judgment against the wicked is this perpetual state of longing, a fitting spiritual consequence for those who live apart from the ultimate Source of life and satisfaction.
Proverbs 13 25 Commentary
Proverbs 13:25 paints a vivid picture of the ultimate recompense for righteous living and wickedness, asserting a fundamental principle of divine justice. For the righteous, "eating to the satisfying of his soul" denotes a deep, comprehensive well-being that goes beyond mere physical sustenance. It speaks of divine provision that meets every true need, resulting in contentment, peace, and spiritual fullness. This is not to say the righteous never experience hardship, but their underlying state is one of sufficiency rooted in God's faithfulness. Conversely, "the belly of the wicked will be in want" illustrates a persistent, gnawing emptiness, an unquenchable craving for satisfaction that material possessions or sinful pursuits can never genuinely fulfill. Their deepest appetites, driven by greed and self-will, leave them perpetually desiring more, often even leading to actual deprivation as a consequence of their destructive choices. This verse teaches that true fulfillment comes from a right relationship with God, while departure from His ways leads to an internal, often tormenting, void.