Proverbs 14:21 kjv
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Proverbs 14:21 nkjv
He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Proverbs 14:21 niv
It is a sin to despise one's neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
Proverbs 14:21 esv
Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
Proverbs 14:21 nlt
It is a sin to belittle one's neighbor;
blessed are those who help the poor.
Proverbs 14 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Pr 17:5 | Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. | Scoffing at the poor is an offense against God. |
| Pr 19:17 | Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. | Generosity to the poor is an act of trust in God's provision. |
| Pr 22:9 | Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. | Liberality of spirit leads to blessedness. |
| Ps 41:1 | Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him. | True blessing comes from considering and aiding the needy. |
| Lev 19:18 | You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge... you shall love your neighbor as yourself. | Foundation for not despising; loving one another as oneself. |
| Jas 2:1-4 | My brothers, show no partiality... for if a man wearing a gold ring... also a poor man... you show favor to the rich and despise the poor? | Direct rebuke against showing contempt for the poor by favoritism. |
| Jas 2:15-16 | If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them... | Inaction or empty words without material help are condemned. |
| 1 Jn 4:20 | If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar... | Love for God is inextricably linked to love for one's fellow human. |
| Matt 25:40 | And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." | Jesus identifies Himself with the most vulnerable. |
| Matt 25:45 | Then he will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me." | Neglecting the least is equivalent to neglecting Christ. |
| Matt 5:7 | "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." | Mercy toward others leads to receiving mercy from God. |
| Deut 15:7-11 | If among you, one of your brothers should become poor... you shall not harden your heart... but you shall open your hand to him freely, and you shall lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. | Clear command to be generous to the poor and needy. |
| Ps 112:9 | He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor. | Righteousness manifested through generosity to the poor. |
| Isa 58:6-7 | "Is not this the fast that I choose... to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house...?" | True worship and righteousness involve practical care for the needy. |
| Luke 6:38 | "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap." | Generosity is promised to be returned bountifully. |
| Acts 20:35 | ...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ | Giving to others, especially the weak, brings greater blessing. |
| 2 Cor 9:6-7 | The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. | Encourages liberal giving with promise of return. |
| Pr 28:27 | Whoever gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. | Stark contrast between providing for and ignoring the poor. |
| Job 31:16-23 | If I have withheld anything that the poor desired... I should have lost my shoulder bone from my shoulder blade... | Job’s personal testament of active care for the afflicted and poor. |
| Amos 2:6-7 | Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals—" | Divine judgment upon those who oppress the poor. |
Proverbs 14 verses
Proverbs 14 21 Meaning
Proverbs 14:21 distinctly illustrates the contrasting outcomes of two paths of action: sin and blessedness. It proclaims that to harbor contempt or disdain for one's fellow human being is to commit a serious offense, violating God's standard for interpersonal relationships. Conversely, the verse declares that showing grace and compassion to those in poverty and need leads to genuine happiness and divine favor. This proverb underscores that how one treats the vulnerable directly reflects one's standing before God and determines their state of blessedness.
Proverbs 14 21 Context
Proverbs chapter 14 forms part of a larger collection of instructional wisdom, commonly known as the Solomonic proverbs. Throughout this chapter, sharp distinctions are drawn between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, and their resultant life paths. Verse 21 fits seamlessly into this thematic pattern, contrasting attitudes and behaviors toward others—particularly the less fortunate—and linking them directly to one's spiritual standing. The surrounding verses address themes such as the integrity of the upright (v. 2), the importance of justice (v. 5), the benefit of wise counsel (v. 6), the value of hard work (v. 23), and the disgrace of idleness (v. 28). Within the ancient Israelite society, treating all individuals with respect was rooted in the covenant and the understanding that all people are created in the image of God. Consequently, despising any person, especially the vulnerable, was a transgression against God's divine order and His compassionate character, which consistently champions the cause of the poor, widow, and orphan.
Proverbs 14 21 Word analysis
Whoever despises (בָּז - bāz): This word signifies a deep contempt, scorn, or treating someone as if they are of no value. It is more than just neglect; it implies looking down on someone from a position of perceived superiority or indifference.
his neighbor (לְרֵעֵ֣הוּ - lərēʿēhū): Refers to a friend, associate, or fellow human being. In biblical context, it extends beyond immediate proximity to encompass anyone within one's community or even humanity at large.
is a sinner (חוֹטֵ֑א - ḥōṭēʾ): Lit. "he misses the mark," indicating a failure to meet God's ethical and moral standards. Despising another human being is presented as a fundamental spiritual misstep and a grave transgression against divine law.
but whoever is generous (וּמְחֹ֣נֵּן - ūməḥōněn): From the root for "grace" or "favor," this describes someone who shows compassion, mercy, or acts kindly. It speaks of a deep inner disposition that manifests in benevolent actions, moving beyond mere pity to active aid.
to the poor (עֲנִיִּ֗ים - ʿănīyyîm): Refers to those who are afflicted, needy, or lacking resources. The Bible places a consistent emphasis on God's special care for this group and calls His people to reflect His compassion.
blessed is he (אַשְׁרֵהוּ׃ - ʾašrēhū): Signifies deep happiness, well-being, or fortune that stems from divine favor. This blessing is holistic, encompassing spiritual satisfaction, a flourishing life, and divine approval, not merely material gain.
"Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner": This phrase establishes a direct spiritual consequence for an uncharitable attitude. Contempt for a fellow human, a being made in God's image, is a serious violation of God's heart and moral law.
"but whoever is generous to the poor, blessed is he": In antithesis, this highlights that active compassion and concrete help toward the most vulnerable are not only pleasing to God but also lead to true blessedness, emphasizing the spiritual reward inherent in acts of mercy.
Proverbs 14 21 Bonus section
The structure of Proverbs 14:21 is a classic antithetical parallelism, common in wisdom literature, powerfully reinforcing the moral lesson by setting two opposite paths in stark relief. The designation of "sinner" (חוֹטֵא) is significant; it conveys culpability and guilt before God, implying that such an attitude grieves the heart of the Almighty. Conversely, the phrase "blessed is he" (אַשְׁרֵהוּ) carries a deep theological weight, denoting a state of divine favor and ultimate well-being that flows from a life lived in accordance with God's wisdom and mercy. The proverb teaches that true spiritual flourishing is directly linked to one's empathetic response to human need, reflecting a heart aligned with God's own graciousness towards the needy and afflicted.
Proverbs 14 21 Commentary
Proverbs 14:21 offers a concise yet profound moral teaching central to biblical wisdom. It vividly contrasts two approaches to life and their resulting spiritual states. The first action, "whoever despises his neighbor," points to an attitude of contempt and disdain for another human being. This is far from passive indifference; it suggests active devaluation, regarding a person as worthless. Such a disposition is unequivocally labeled a "sinner," emphasizing that it is a serious breach of God's relational commandments and an offense against His created order, which vests dignity in all people.
In direct contrast, the proverb champions the one "whoever is generous to the poor." The word "generous" or "gracious" here denotes not just charitable giving but an inner attitude of favor, compassion, and deep empathy, which naturally translates into benevolent action. This proactive kindness towards the vulnerable, specifically the "poor" and needy, results in divine approbation. Such a person is declared "blessed," indicating a state of deep well-being, happiness, and favor from God. This blessedness is not solely external prosperity but a profound internal flourishing and satisfaction that comes from living in alignment with God's compassionate character. Thus, the proverb illustrates that genuine godliness is not just internal piety but is demonstrably reflected in merciful actions toward one's fellow human beings, particularly those in greatest need.