Proverbs 19:17 kjv
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Proverbs 19:17 nkjv
He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
Proverbs 19:17 niv
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.
Proverbs 19:17 esv
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 19:17 nlt
If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD ?
and he will repay you!
Proverbs 19 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 11:24 | One gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. | Giving leads to prosperity. |
| Prov 11:25 | A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. | Generosity brings refreshment and prosperity. |
| Prov 22:9 | The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. | Blessing for sharing with the poor. |
| Prov 28:27 | Whoever gives to the poor will not lack, but whoever ignores them will receive many a curse. | Giving to the poor prevents lack. |
| Deut 15:7-8 | If among you... one of your brothers should become poor... you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand | Command to be open-handed to the needy. |
| Deut 15:10 | You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this deed... the Lord your God will bless you. | Promise of blessing for generous giving. |
| Ps 41:1 | Blessed is the one who considers the poor; in the day of trouble the Lord will deliver him. | Blessings and deliverance for caring for the poor. |
| Ps 112:9 | They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor... their horn is exalted in honor. | Generosity to the poor leads to honor. |
| Ps 140:12 | I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and execute justice for the needy. | God is defender of the afflicted. |
| Isa 58:7-8 | Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house... | True fasting involves care for the needy. |
| Matt 6:20 | Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... | Heavenly reward for earthly deeds. |
| Matt 10:42 | And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water... will not lose his reward. | Reward for even small acts of kindness. |
| Matt 25:34-40 | ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you... for I was hungry and you gave me food...’ ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ | Jesus identifies with the poor; acts for them are acts for Him. |
| Lk 14:13-14 | When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind... you will be repaid at the resurrection. | Reward in resurrection for inviting the poor. |
| 2 Cor 9:6-7 | Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart... | Principles of bountiful giving and reaping. |
| 2 Cor 9:8 | And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. | God provides abundantly for generous work. |
| Phil 4:17-19 | Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit... My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches. | Divine supply for sacrificial giving. |
| Heb 6:10 | God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints... | God remembers and rewards faithful service. |
| Jam 1:27 | Religion that is pure and undefiled before God... is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction... | Pure religion includes caring for the vulnerable. |
| 1 Jn 3:17-18 | If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need... how can the love of God be in that person? Let us not love with words... but with actions. | Practical love is demonstrated by helping the needy. |
| Rev 22:12 | Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. | Jesus brings recompense for deeds. |
| Job 31:16-17 | If I have withheld anything... from the poor... or let a widow's eyes grow dim with longing... | Job's integrity included care for the poor. |
| Gal 2:10 | They asked only that we would remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. | Remembering the poor was a priority for apostles. |
Proverbs 19 verses
Proverbs 19 17 Meaning
Proverbs 19:17 reveals a profound principle of divine economy: acts of compassion shown to the poor are seen by the Lord as direct loans to Himself, and He faithfully guarantees to repay such kindness with His own abundant reward. This verse transforms human charity from a mere benevolent act into a spiritual investment with the Creator of the universe.
Proverbs 19 17 Context
Proverbs chapter 19 is a collection of diverse wisdom sayings that primarily contrast righteousness with wickedness, diligence with laziness, and wisdom with folly. It delves into the consequences of various behaviors and attitudes, often emphasizing the value of good character over material wealth or social status. Verse 17 fits seamlessly into this overarching theme by specifically addressing compassion towards the poor, highlighting its moral uprightness and linking it directly to divine favor and reward. Historically, Israelite society, as revealed in the Torah, placed significant emphasis on caring for the vulnerable (orphans, widows, the poor, and sojourners), viewing it as a core expression of covenant faithfulness and reflecting God's own character as a defender of the defenseless. This verse elevates that ethical obligation to a unique level by framing it within an economic metaphor, making acts of kindness to the poor not just a duty but a profound opportunity for interaction with God Himself.
Proverbs 19 17 Word analysis
- Whoever (אִישׁ, ʼiš): Refers to any person, indicating the universality of this principle. The wisdom applies to all, regardless of their social standing.
- is kind (חֹנֵן, ḥōnen, a participle of חָנַן, ḥānan): This Hebrew root denotes showing favor, grace, pity, or compassion. It implies an active, benevolent disposition, not merely passive sympathy, but a willingness to act out of kindness. It is a heartfelt benevolence.
- to the poor (דַּל, dal): This term describes someone who is needy, lowly, weak, or without resources. It encompasses not only material destitution but also vulnerability and helplessness. These are the people society often overlooks.
- lends (מַלְוֶה, malveh, a participle of לָוָה, lāwāh): The primary meaning is "to lend" or "to cause to borrow." Here, it's used metaphorically. It shifts the perception of giving to the poor from an act of charity with no expected return (in human terms) to a financial transaction that implies repayment. It's not a loss, but an investment.
- to the Lord (לַיהוָה, la-YHWH): YHWH is the personal covenant name of God. This is the crux of the verse. The kindness is not just directed to the poor, but is received by God Himself as if He were the one being lent to. This signifies God's deep identification with the needy and elevates the act to a sacred, divine transaction.
- and he will reward (וּגְמוּלוֹ יְשַׁלֶּם לוֹ, uǧmulō yəšallem lō): The verb שָׁלַם (shalam) means "to repay," "to make good," "to restore," or "to complete." This assures a certain, faithful, and complete repayment. Gmul refers to a deed, recompense, or reward. This phrase signifies that God himself guarantees to provide an appropriate recompense for the charitable act. It is not left to chance or human generosity.
- them for what they have done / his deed: Literally "his deed/recompense He will repay him." The act of kindness itself is the "deed" for which repayment is promised. It implies that the repayment will be perfectly aligned with the value and sincerity of the compassionate action.
- Words-group analysis:
- "Whoever is kind to the poor": This phrase establishes the virtuous act and its specific recipient. It's about tangible compassion directed at the vulnerable. The wisdom teaching here is deeply practical and accessible to everyone.
- "lends to the Lord": This is the central, surprising metaphor. It reframes an earthly act of giving into a heavenly financial agreement. God takes ownership of the poor's plight, absorbing the debt and becoming the guarantor. This turns what might seem like a pure outgoing expense into a highly secure, divine investment.
- "and he will reward them for what they have done": This phrase acts as a divine guarantee and promise of certain recompense. It reinforces God's character as just, faithful, and generous. The repayment is not arbitrary but directly proportionate and suitable to the act of kindness shown.
Proverbs 19 17 Bonus section
This proverb encapsulates a crucial theological truth: God identifies with the poor and oppressed. It reveals a characteristic of divine justice where the "lender" is actually the seemingly needy person, and the "borrower" is the Almighty God. This concept reverses typical human power dynamics and financial expectations, urging believers to act with compassion out of faith in God's certain reciprocity rather than expecting anything from the poor themselves. The "reward" from the Lord signifies a complete and perfect return, which encompasses more than material prosperity; it speaks of spiritual blessing, favor, and eternal recompense, underscoring the boundless nature of God's generosity. The verse functions as a powerful exhortation to active charity, promoting a heart that mirrors God's own concern for the vulnerable in society.
Proverbs 19 17 Commentary
Proverbs 19:17 offers a profound insight into God's economy and His heart for the vulnerable. It elevates acts of simple human kindness to the poor to the level of divine investment. The verse implies that when one extends compassion to a person in need, it is as if the Lord Himself receives the benefit, metaphorically incurring a debt that He faithfully promises to repay. This principle goes beyond mere human ethics, embedding the act of charity within God's just and generous nature. It removes the potential for human pride in giving and shifts the focus to God's ultimate ownership and valuation of such deeds. The certainty of reward ("he will reward him") serves as a powerful motivator, revealing that God meticulously acknowledges and recompenses every act of righteous benevolence. It challenges individuals to view generosity not as an outflow of resources, but as a strategic deposit into an account held by the divine Treasurer, who repays with unfailing interest, blessings that may be spiritual, material, or relational, often exceeding the initial "loan." This promise underscores God's deep identification with the downtrodden, teaching that how we treat the least of these, we treat Him.