Proverbs 16:8 kjv
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Proverbs 16:8 nkjv
Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.
Proverbs 16:8 niv
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
Proverbs 16:8 esv
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
Proverbs 16:8 nlt
Better to have little, with godliness,
than to be rich and dishonest.
Proverbs 16 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 10:2 | Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. | Unjust wealth is worthless; righteousness protects. |
| Prov 13:11 | Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. | Quick, ill-gotten wealth diminishes; slow, just gain grows. |
| Prov 15:16 | Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. | Godly reverence with little is better than troubled wealth. |
| Prov 16:19 | It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. | Humility with poor is superior to arrogant wealth. |
| Prov 20:21 | An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. | Wealth gained quickly lacks lasting blessing. |
| Prov 21:6 | The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, an entrapment of death. | Dishonest wealth is fleeting and leads to destruction. |
| Prov 28:6 | Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. | Poor integrity surpasses rich crookedness. |
| Prov 28:8 | Whoever lends at interest for exorbitant gain gathers for him who is generous to the poor. | Unjust gain collected by the generous for others. |
| Prov 29:3 | He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. | Wisdom leads to joy; moral compromise squanders. |
| Ps 37:16 | Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. | A righteous small portion is better than much wicked wealth. |
| Ps 89:14 | Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. | God's throne founded on righteousness and justice. |
| Jer 17:11 | Like the partridge that gathers a brood it has not hatched, so is he who gets riches but not by justice; in the midst of his days they will leave him, and at his end he will be a fool. | Unjust wealth vanishes, leaving its owner a fool. |
| Hab 2:9 | "Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house, setting his nest on high to be safe from the reach of harm!" | Woe to those who build their lives on unjust gain. |
| Amos 5:24 | But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. | Justice and righteousness should flow abundantly. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | God requires justice, kindness, and humility. |
| 1 Tim 6:6 | But godliness with contentment is great gain. | Godliness and contentment are true wealth. |
| 1 Tim 6:7 | For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. | Material possessions are temporary. |
| 1 Tim 6:9-10 | But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare... For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. | Desire for wealth brings temptation and evil. |
| Heb 13:5 | Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have... | Avoid love of money; be content with what you have. |
| Lk 12:15 | Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. | Life's true value isn't in material abundance. |
| Phil 4:11 | Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. | Paul found contentment independent of circumstances. |
| 2 Thess 3:10 | For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. | Calls for diligent and honest labor. |
Proverbs 16 verses
Proverbs 16 8 Meaning
Proverbs 16:8 declares that a small amount of material gain acquired through righteous means is far superior to an abundance of income obtained through unjust or unrighteous practices. It establishes a fundamental principle: true value lies not in the quantity of wealth, but in the integrity and moral uprightness by which it is attained. God's favor rests on those who act righteously, and such favor provides greater security and blessing than ill-gotten gains.
Proverbs 16 8 Context
Proverbs chapter 16 often contrasts different ways of life and their outcomes, frequently highlighting the role of God's sovereignty, human responsibility, and the wisdom of choosing righteous paths. Verses in this chapter emphasize God's knowledge of human intentions (v. 2), the importance of trusting Him (v. 3), His sovereign purpose in all things (v. 4), the rejection of pride (v. 5), the atoning power of mercy and truth (v. 6), and the benefits of pleasing the Lord (v. 7). Proverbs 16:8 specifically fits within this pattern by distinguishing between the source of prosperity rather than merely its quantity, aligning with the chapter's overarching theme of ethical conduct under divine oversight. The historical context reflects an ancient Israelite society where the accumulation of wealth was a practical reality, but Mosaic Law and prophetic tradition constantly underscored the importance of justice, equity, and fair dealings in economic practices, often polemicizing against exploitation, dishonest weights, and ill-gotten gains.
Proverbs 16 8 Word analysis
- Better (טוֹב - Tov): This word signifies "good," "pleasant," or "advantageous." In this context, it is used comparatively, indicating superior quality or value. It emphasizes that the qualitative aspect of righteousness far outweighs the quantitative aspect of wealth.
- is a little (מְעַט - me'at): Refers to a small amount or meager portion. The word highlights the material quantity as secondary to the manner of acquisition.
- with righteousness (בְּצֶדֶק - be'tzedeq):
Be-: Preposition meaning "in" or "with."Tzedeq(צֶדֶק): This foundational Hebrew concept denotes moral, ethical, and legal uprightness. It encompasses justice, integrity, fairness, and conformity to God's standard or law. Here, it refers to wealth acquired through honest, ethical, and lawful means, in accordance with divine principles. It implies hard work, fair exchange, and avoidance of any form of exploitation or dishonesty.
- than great (מֵרֹב - mi'rov):
Mi-: Preposition "from" or "than."Rov(רֹב): Signifies "multitude," "abundance," "great quantity." This contrasts directly with "little" (me'at), highlighting the scale of material wealth.
- revenues (תְּבוּאוֹת - t'vu'ot): Refers to income, gains, produce, or profits. It signifies the material results of labor or enterprise.
- without right (בְּלֹא מִשְׁפָּט - belo mishpat):
Belo: "Without."Mishpat(מִשְׁפָּט): This word denotes judgment, justice, legal right, or equitable administration. It often appears alongside tzedeq. Here, "without mishpat" implies a lack of proper legal or ethical standing; wealth obtained through injustice, fraud, oppression, exploitation, or any method contrary to God's righteous decrees. It suggests illicit, unfair, or illegitimate acquisition.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Better is a little with righteousness": This phrase sets up the preferred condition. It elevates integrity and ethical conduct over mere material volume. It suggests that contentment, peace, and God's blessing are inherent to right living, even if it yields less tangible gain. This aligns with a theological worldview where God is sovereign over prosperity and curses injustice.
- "than great revenues without right": This phrase presents the unfavorable comparison. It criticizes the pursuit of vast wealth by any means necessary. "Without right" directly challenges methods of accumulation that violate principles of justice, equity, or divine law, often found in ancient societies prone to exploitation and deceit. The implicit warning is that such wealth, though great in quantity, is tainted, unstable, and ultimately brings disfavor or ruin. The term "revenues" specifically targets gains from commercial activities or harvest that should be conducted justly.
Proverbs 16 8 Bonus section
- The antithetical parallelism is a common literary device in Proverbs, used effectively here to create a sharp contrast and highlight the clear preference for ethical means over material quantity.
- The concepts of tzedeq and mishpat are often intertwined in biblical wisdom and prophetic literature, representing God's unchanging standard for human conduct in both personal and societal spheres. They are not merely legalistic terms but reflect the very character of God.
- This proverb implicitly serves as a warning against the temptations of covetousness and quick riches, emphasizing that genuine prosperity in God's eyes is spiritual and moral before it is material. The "little" that is obtained righteously is seen as containing inherent blessing, security, and true peace, unlike the "great revenues" obtained unjustly which often lead to anxiety, strife, and divine judgment.
- The verse encourages a perspective of contentment and trust in divine provision for those who walk in integrity, regardless of their material circumstances.
Proverbs 16 8 Commentary
Proverbs 16:8 encapsulates a profound biblical wisdom regarding material possessions and character. It does not condemn wealth itself but sternly judges the means by which it is acquired. The core message is that spiritual and moral integrity, characterized by "righteousness" (tzedeq) and adherence to "right" (mishpat), holds far greater value than any amount of ill-gotten wealth. A small honest gain brings the peace of God, a clear conscience, and lasting blessing, whereas a large unjust gain, however seemingly successful, carries the seeds of anxiety, guilt, divine disapproval, and ultimate ruin. This truth challenges the secular view that success is measured solely by material accumulation. It promotes the pursuit of an upright life over a wealthy one, trusting that God honors faithfulness. Practical application involves earning a living through ethical means, avoiding dishonest practices, and finding contentment in one's circumstances while prioritizing obedience to God's ways above all material ambitions.