Proverbs 21:13 kjv

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

Proverbs 21:13 nkjv

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

Proverbs 21:13 niv

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

Proverbs 21:13 esv

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

Proverbs 21:13 nlt

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
will be ignored in their own time of need.

Proverbs 21 verses

Proverbs 21 13 Meaning

Proverbs 21:13 reveals a divine principle of justice: one who ignores the desperate cry of the poor will, in their own time of distress, cry out to God but will not receive an answer. It underscores the Lord's expectation of compassion and righteous action towards the vulnerable, demonstrating that how one treats others, especially the needy, reflects their heart and directly impacts how God will respond to their own pleas.

Proverbs 21 13 Context

Proverbs 21, part of the broader collection of Solomon's wisdom, offers diverse maxims on righteous living, contrasting the paths of the righteous and the wicked. Verse 13 is strategically placed amidst verses that emphasize the Lord's scrutiny of motives (v. 2), the dangers of arrogance (v. 4), the importance of justice (v. 3, 7, 15), and the consequences of sin. Specifically, it directly follows a verse about the insatiable greed of the wicked (v. 12) and precedes one that highlights the benefits of a bribe in secret (v. 14, likely showing worldly effectiveness rather than endorsing it). This immediate context positions verse 13 as a sharp reminder of social responsibility and divine accountability, emphasizing that ethical behavior towards the poor is not merely a social virtue but a matter of divine judgment. The chapter repeatedly shows that the Lord evaluates human actions and attitudes, particularly regarding justice and honesty.

Word Analysis

• Whoso stoppeth: The Hebrew verb is satam (סָתַם), meaning "to stop, block, shut up, close." It implies a deliberate and intentional action to shut out, not merely a passive unawareness. This highlights active resistance to empathy.
• his ears: Ozeno (אֹזְנוֹ). Coupled with satam, this paints a clear picture of someone willfully refusing to hear, symbolically closing off their capacity for compassion and action. It speaks of a hardened heart.
• at the cry: The Hebrew noun is za'aqat (זַעֲקַת), from za'aq meaning "to cry out, call for help, wail." This is not a casual request but a desperate plea for urgent relief or deliverance from distress or oppression. It signifies genuine suffering. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a "cry" to a ruler or a god was an appeal for justice or rescue.
• of the poor: The Hebrew term dal (דָּל) signifies someone weak, lowly, helpless, or of little means. It doesn't solely denote financial poverty but vulnerability, powerlessness, and dependency on others. It includes those who are economically disadvantaged but extends to anyone in a position of need or vulnerability. This distinguishes them from the powerful or self-sufficient.
• he also shall cry himself: Yits'aq (יִצְעַק) comes from the same root za'aq as the "cry" of the poor. This parallelism highlights a poetic justice or lex talionis – the offender will experience the very desperation they inflicted on others. It implies that their future cries will be just as urgent and dire.
• but shall not be heard: The Hebrew lo ye'aneh (לֹא יֵעָנֶה) literally means "he will not be answered" or "he will not be heard." This is a severe divine judgment. Just as the person denied the poor a hearing and response, God will deny them an answer when they call out. This emphasizes that access to divine assistance is contingent on one's own responsiveness to those in need. It's a reciprocal consequence reflecting God's nature as the hearer of the poor.

Proverbs 21 13 Bonus section

The concept presented in Proverbs 21:13 reflects a broader covenantal expectation in the Hebrew Bible, where caring for the dal (poor, needy) and ger (foreigner), yatom (orphan), and almanah (widow) is a fundamental expression of obedience to God. Neglecting these vulnerable groups was a significant indictment against Israel and a common theme for prophetic denunciation, underscoring that social justice is inextricably linked to spiritual faithfulness. The divine response—or lack thereof—is not arbitrary but a just reflection of human action, showcasing God's righteous character and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity, particularly in upholding the rights and dignity of the oppressed. This principle transcends mere legalistic requirement; it calls for a heart filled with generous compassion.

Proverbs 21 13 Commentary

Proverbs 21:13 powerfully encapsulates a principle of divine reciprocity central to biblical wisdom and justice. It reveals that the Lord does not overlook social indifference or the willful neglect of the needy. The act of "stopping one's ears" to the cry of the poor is depicted as a deliberate hardening of the heart against genuine suffering, demonstrating a severe lack of empathy and a disregard for God's explicit commands concerning the vulnerable. The consequence is equally severe: when the callous individual faces their own inevitable crisis and cries out, God will, in a profound act of poetic justice, remain unresponsive. This does not imply that God ignores all prayers but rather that prayer offered by those who persist in unrepentant oppression or active indifference to the suffering of others is an abomination to Him. The verse serves as a sober warning, urging compassion, justice, and immediate aid to the poor, affirming that genuine faith is demonstrated through loving action, especially towards the least of these. Ignoring human need is seen as effectively ignoring the very cries of those whom God cares for most.