Proverbs 22:23 kjv

For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Proverbs 22:23 nkjv

For the LORD will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

Proverbs 22:23 niv

for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.

Proverbs 22:23 esv

for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.

Proverbs 22:23 nlt

For the LORD is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.

Proverbs 22 verses

Proverbs 22 23 Meaning

Proverbs 22:23 declares that God Himself acts as the supreme advocate for those who are exploited and oppressed. When the vulnerable are unjustly stripped of their dignity or possessions, the Lord steps in to champion their cause and will mete out exact retribution against their oppressors, causing the despoilers to be despoiled themselves, even to their very life or being. This verse serves as a powerful deterrent against injustice and a profound promise of divine intervention for the downtrodden.

Proverbs 22 23 Context

Proverbs 22:23 is part of the "Sayings of the Wise" (Proverbs 22:17-24:34), a collection of thirty short, moral exhortations that address various aspects of righteous living. Specifically, verse 23 stands as a direct consequence and powerful reinforcement to the preceding verse, Proverbs 22:22, which warns: "Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate." The two verses form a tightly knit couplet where verse 22 presents the prohibition against exploiting the vulnerable, and verse 23 provides the theological motivation and deterrent: God's personal involvement as defender and judge.

The historical and cultural context is vital. In ancient Israel, "the gate" (v. 22) was the place where legal matters were decided, transactions made, and public life unfolded. The "poor" (dal) and "afflicted" ('ani) often lacked means, influence, or legal representation, making them easy targets for exploitation by the powerful. There was a constant temptation for corrupt officials, creditors, or powerful individuals to use their position to defraud those who could not fight back. Within this system, the Lord is presented as the ultimate arbiter of justice, emphasizing that while human justice might fail or be perverted, divine justice is assured. This underscores Yahweh's unique character as a God who is passionately concerned with righteousness and the welfare of the weakest members of society, a stark contrast to many surrounding pagan deities often associated with power and conquest without a similar ethical standard for social equity.

Proverbs 22 23 Word analysis

• For the LORD (כִּי יְהוָה - kî YHWH):

  • For (kî): A conjunction acting as a strong causal link, indicating the reason or justification for the command in the previous verse (not to rob the poor). It establishes the basis of the prohibition in God's nature and action.
  • the LORD (YHWH): The personal covenant name of God. This signifies God's active, direct, and authoritative involvement, distinguishing Him from any earthly judge or power. It highlights His unchanging character as protector of justice.

• will plead (יָרִיב - yā·rîḇ):

  • From the root rib, meaning "to strive," "to contend," "to plead," or "to litigate." This term is highly forensic. It paints a picture of God entering the courtroom as the advocate for the oppressed, presenting their case with overwhelming authority and righteous zeal against their oppressors. It implies both active defense and punitive action.

• their cause (רִיבָם - rî·ḇām):

  • The noun form of the same root rib, here referring to the legal dispute or grievance of the oppressed. God doesn't just sympathize; He takes up their specific case, whatever their plight, to see justice done. This implies He understands the nuances of the injustice.

• And spoil (וְקָבַע - wə·qā·ḇa‘):

  • From the verb qāḇa‘, meaning "to rob," "to despoil," "to take away by force." This word is often associated with illegitimate gain.
  • Here, it signifies divine retribution and poetic justice. God will reverse the act committed by the oppressor; the one who illegally took from others will find themselves being "spoiled" by God.

• the soul of (אֶת־נַפְשׁ - ʾeṯ-nap̄š):

  • soul (nap̄š): In Hebrew thought, nephesh encompasses the entire living being—person, life, vital essence. It is not merely the immaterial part.
  • This implies that God's spoiling action against the oppressor is not superficial. It affects their very being, their life, their prosperity, their entire existence, potentially leading to utter ruin or loss of life itself, echoing God's previous warnings in Ex 22:22-24.

• those who spoil them (קֹבְעֵיהֶם - qōḇ‘ê·hem):

  • The active participle form of qāḇa‘ ("to spoil"), referring to the active agents of injustice and exploitation. This identifies the targets of God's judgment: those who actively commit robbery, fraud, or exploitation against the poor and needy.

Words-group analysis:

• "For the LORD will plead their cause": This phrase establishes divine intervention as the foundational reason for upright behavior. It asserts God's character as the ultimate defender of the weak, emphasizing His personal commitment to justice in a way that no human court could guarantee. It evokes images of God acting as a prosecuting attorney on behalf of the downtrodden.
• "And spoil the soul of those who spoil them": This phrase details the method and extent of divine retribution. It reveals a principle of lex talionis (law of retaliation) applied by God – the punishment fitting the crime. The oppressor who targets the being (soul, life, well-being) of the poor will have their own being utterly stripped or ruined by God. It’s a mirroring judgment, showing God’s justice is precise and just.

Proverbs 22 23 Bonus section

The strength of Proverbs 22:23 lies in its direct theological assertion. It elevates the discussion of justice from human law and societal ethics to divine character. The phrase "the LORD will plead their cause" emphasizes the concept of God's active vindication of the marginalized, demonstrating a compassionate yet powerful aspect of His sovereignty. This specific type of judgment—spoiling the despoiler—illustrates divine reciprocity, ensuring that those who wield their power to inflict harm on the helpless will inevitably face a similar or greater loss orchestrated by the Most High. This wisdom teaching forms a crucial component of biblical justice, portraying God as inherently righteous and irrevocably committed to defending those who cannot defend themselves. It suggests that neglecting the poor is a spiritual affront, incurring God’s direct wrath rather than just social disapproval.

Proverbs 22 23 Commentary

Proverbs 22:23 presents a profound theological and practical warning, ensuring that the preceding ethical imperative (22:22) is not seen as merely human wisdom but as rooted in divine decree. It conveys that injustice against the poor is not merely a social wrong but an offense directly against God Himself. The Lord is portrayed as uniquely invested in the plight of the vulnerable. He does not delegate the judgment or passively observe; rather, He actively engages in legal contention (yariv), acting as prosecutor, judge, and executioner on behalf of those without defense. The consequence for the oppressor is a direct and reciprocal form of justice: those who exploit and plunder others will themselves be plundered, not just of material wealth, but affecting their very "soul" or existence. This concept offers solace to the oppressed and acts as a fearsome deterrent for potential exploiters, reminding all that no injustice escapes the ultimate, perfect justice of the Creator.

• Practical Example 1: A landlord unjustly evicts a poor tenant to seize their possessions, assuming they have no legal recourse. Proverbs 22:23 declares that the Lord Himself will take up the tenant's case and "spoil" the landlord's prosperity or reputation, echoing the very act of robbery committed.
• Practical Example 2: A business owner exploits the meager wages of laborers, knowing they are too desperate to complain. This proverb warns that God will contend against that business, causing its downfall or a loss far greater than the "saved" wages, perhaps affecting the very vitality of the owner's enterprise.