Proverbs 13:8 kjv

The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

Proverbs 13:8 nkjv

The ransom of a man's life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke.

Proverbs 13:8 niv

A person's riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

Proverbs 13:8 esv

The ransom of a man's life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.

Proverbs 13:8 nlt

The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,
but the poor won't even get threatened.

Proverbs 13 verses

Proverbs 13 8 Meaning

Proverbs 13:8 conveys a stark observation about the differing forms of security and vulnerability for the rich and the poor. For the rich man, his wealth can serve as a payment or "ransom" to protect his life, whether by settling a dispute, bribing an adversary, or acquiring means of safety. This very wealth, however, can also be the source of danger, making him a target for extortion or harm. In contrast, the poor man, possessing nothing, faces no such threats of ransom because there is no wealth to take from him. Consequently, he "hears no rebuke" in the form of demands, threats, or blackmail, often being overlooked or deemed inconsequential by those seeking financial gain or power.

Proverbs 13 8 Context

Proverbs 13 is part of the "Proverbs of Solomon," largely composed of independent, pithy sayings designed to impart wisdom and practical righteousness. This chapter frequently uses antithetical parallelism, juxtaposing contrasting ideas to highlight a moral or practical truth, as seen in verse 8. The broader context of Proverbs often deals with themes of diligence versus sloth, righteousness versus wickedness, and the use and misuse of speech and wealth. Historically, the verse reflects a common observation in ancient Near Eastern societies, where wealth afforded privilege and protection but also invited theft, extortion, and various dangers. The poor, lacking possessions, were often invisible to the systems of power and patronage but also escaped the burdens and specific threats that came with material abundance. The "rebuke" the poor doesn't hear could also refer to the less privileged standing apart from the specific temptations and legal wrangling that accompany great wealth, freeing them from a kind of material entrapment.

Proverbs 13 8 Word analysis

• The ransom (כֹּ֣פֶר - kofer): This Hebrew term signifies a price of redemption, a bribe, or a payment for one's life. It suggests a compensatory sum offered or demanded to avoid punishment, escape death, or gain freedom. In the context of Proverbs, it points to the worldly means by which life or safety can be bought. It can be a burdensome payment.
• of a man's life (נֶפֶשׁ־אִ֣ישׁ - nephesh-ish): Nephesh denotes the entire living being, the person, or the vitality of a man. This emphasizes the physical life or well-being that is at stake.
• is his riches (עָשְׁרֹ֑ו - oshro): Oshro refers to wealth, abundance, or possessions. The implication is that a rich person's life or safety is intimately tied to their material assets, which they may have to forfeit to preserve their life.
• but the poor (וְרָ֖שׁ - verash): Rash denotes a person who is impoverished, destitute, or lacking means. This word introduces a direct contrast, typical of Proverbial wisdom.
• hears (שָׁמַ֣ע - shama): This is more than merely perceiving sound; it implies an attentive listening, understanding, and even obedience or heeding.
• no rebuke (לֹא־שָׁמַ֣ע גְּעָרָֽה׃ - lo shama ge'arah): Ge'arah signifies a sharp verbal reprimand, a threat, a scolding, or a menacing demand. In this context, it often refers to a threatening demand for payment or compliance. The phrase highlights that because the poor man has no wealth, he is not targeted for extortion or blackmail; there is no price to be extracted from him, so he is spared the kind of threatening demands that might plague the rich. This also means the poor often avoid the disputes and conflicts that arise from possessions.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "The ransom of a man's life is his riches": This clause describes a transactional reality. The wealth of a person is both their means of protection and, paradoxically, what makes them a target. Their very security is found in something tangible and susceptible to seizure, creating a vulnerable dependence on possessions.
• "but the poor hears no rebuke": This contrasting clause underscores the poor person's unique "immunity" from specific forms of exploitation or threats that are predicated on material possessions. While the poor may face other hardships (e.g., lack of provisions, social marginalization), they are not subjected to financial demands or threats due to their destitution. They might be overlooked, but they also lack the "burden" of defending their wealth.

Proverbs 13 8 Bonus section

The Hebrew term kofer used in this proverb carries a profound theological resonance throughout the Bible. While here it literally means a ransom payment to preserve life, kofer is also found in contexts of divine redemption and atonement. For instance, in Exodus 30:12, a "ransom" (kofer) must be paid for each man counted in the census to avert plague. Ultimately, this word foreshadows the ultimate spiritual ransom: Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. As stated in Mark 10:45 and 1 Timothy 2:6, Jesus "gave his life as a ransom for many," providing true redemption not from earthly threats or extortion but from sin and death itself, a payment that no amount of human wealth could ever achieve for anyone, rich or poor. Thus, the worldly paradox of Proverbs 13:8 finds its divine resolution in the limitless grace of God. This highlights that true security and salvation are not found in earthly riches, but in Christ's ultimate and perfect payment.

Proverbs 13 8 Commentary

Proverbs 13:8 offers a shrewd and somewhat cynical observation about the earthly realities of wealth and poverty. The verse is an antithetical proverb highlighting a paradoxical truth: a rich man's wealth, while seemingly a source of power and security, often makes him a target for ransom or blackmail. His possessions are precisely what put his life in jeopardy, demanding payment or concessions to ensure safety. Conversely, the poor man, having nothing of value to be taken, is often overlooked by extortionists or those who profit from threats, thus hearing "no rebuke" in the form of demands for ransom. This does not imply the poor man is free from all trouble, but rather free from a particular kind of threat associated with wealth. The verse subtly questions the ultimate security derived from riches, suggesting that dependence on material wealth for life's preservation carries its own unique dangers and obligations. In a spiritual sense, this may echo the truth that those clinging to worldly possessions are often bound by them, whereas those who are poor in spirit are free to receive the spiritual wealth of God’s kingdom without hindrance.