Proverbs 23:11 kjv
For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.
Proverbs 23:11 nkjv
For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.
Proverbs 23:11 niv
for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.
Proverbs 23:11 esv
for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you.
Proverbs 23:11 nlt
For their Redeemer is strong;
he himself will bring their charges against you.
Proverbs 23 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 22:22-23 | Do not exploit the poor because he is poor... for the LORD will plead... | Warning against oppressing the poor and God's intervention. |
| Deut 10:18 | He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the stranger. | God's character as defender of the vulnerable. |
| Deut 27:19 | 'Cursed is he who moves his neighbor's boundary mark... | Specific curse against moving boundary stones. |
| Ps 10:14 | You are the helper of the fatherless. | God as the Helper and Protector. |
| Ps 68:5 | Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in His holy habitation. | God's specific care for orphans and widows. |
| Ps 82:3 | Give justice to the weak and fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and destitute. | Mandate for earthly authorities to ensure justice. |
| Ps 94:1 | O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! | God's ultimate role in administering vengeance. |
| Ps 140:12 | I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor. | God's commitment to maintaining justice for the oppressed. |
| Isa 1:17 | Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. | Divine command for righteous living and defending the vulnerable. |
| Isa 1:23 | Your princes are rebellious... They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them. | Rebuke against unrighteous rulers who fail the vulnerable. |
| Isa 10:1-2 | Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees... to rob the poor of justice... and widows and orphans of their right. | Strong condemnation of those who legalistically oppress. |
| Isa 41:14 | "Fear not, you worm Jacob... I will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer. | God as the divine Redeemer. |
| Isa 43:1 | Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are Mine. | God as the personal Redeemer. |
| Jer 49:11 | Leave your fatherless children; I will preserve them alive; and let your widows trust in Me. | God's promise of protection for the vulnerable even in desolation. |
| Mal 3:5 | "I will be a swift witness against... those who oppress the hired worker... the widow and the orphan." | God as swift judge against oppressors. |
| Lk 20:47 | [scribes] who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. | Jesus' condemnation of religious hypocrisy and exploitation. |
| 1 Thess 5:15 | See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. | General principle of not returning evil, but good. |
| Heb 10:30 | "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," says the Lord. | God's sovereign right to dispense justice. |
| Jas 1:27 | Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction. | Definition of true faith including care for the vulnerable. |
| 1 Jn 2:1 | If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. | Concept of an advocate, here for believers, illustrating the legal theme. |
Proverbs 23 verses
Proverbs 23 11 Meaning
Proverbs 23:11 serves as a profound warning against exploiting the most vulnerable members of society, particularly the fatherless and widows, by taking their possessions or infringing upon their rights. It declares that these defenseless individuals have a powerful divine protector—God Himself, acting as their "Redeemer" (Go'el)—who possesses immense strength and will vigorously champion their cause, confronting and judging those who wrong them. This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice for the oppressed.
Proverbs 23 11 Context
Proverbs chapter 23 contains a series of warnings and instructions concerning wisdom, self-control, and righteous living. Within this collection, verses 10-11 specifically address ethical conduct related to property rights and the protection of the vulnerable. Verse 10 warns directly against moving ancient boundary stones and invading the fields of the fatherless—actions that constitute theft and oppression. Verse 11 provides the powerful rationale for this warning. In ancient Israelite society, "the fatherless" (orphans) and "the widow" represented the quintessential vulnerable groups, lacking the traditional familial or male protectors that typically provided legal and financial security. Land was foundational to Israelite identity, livelihood, and inheritance, stemming from God's division of the land to the tribes. Therefore, moving an ancient landmark was a severe offense, directly violating the poor and vulnerable's divinely sanctioned inheritance and survival.
Proverbs 23 11 Word analysis
- For: (כִּי - ki) - This conjunction serves as a foundational reason or explanation for the preceding warning in verse 10. It grounds the ethical imperative in divine truth.
- their Redeemer: (גֹּאֲלָם - go'alam) - Literally "their kinsman-redeemer." This is a profoundly significant term rooted in Israelite social and legal tradition. The go'el was typically the nearest male relative obligated to act on behalf of the family, particularly to rescue those in distress, avenge wrongs, redeem alienated property (Lev 25:25), or ransom family members from slavery. In this context, God Himself is declared to be the Go'el for the fatherless and widow, stepping into this role for those who lack a human kinsman. This establishes an intimate, active, and powerful divine protection over the vulnerable.
- is mighty: (חָזָק - chazaq) - "strong," "firm," "powerful." This adjective describes the Redeemer's character, emphasizing His unchallengeable power and supreme authority. It signifies that His ability to intervene and execute justice is not merely adequate, but absolute and overwhelming, ensuring His actions are effectual.
- He shall plead: (יָרִיב - yariv) - "He will contend," "He will dispute," "He will take up a case." This term conveys a sense of legal contention or judicial advocacy. It portrays God actively engaging in a legal dispute, presenting the case for the oppressed. It signifies a forceful, argumentative defense in a metaphorical divine courtroom.
- their cause: (רִיבָם - rivam) - "Their dispute," "their legal controversy," "their contention." This refers to the grievance, claim, or injustice that the vulnerable have suffered. God champions the very case of injustice committed against them.
- against you: (אִתָּךְ - ittach) - "with you," or in this adversarial context, clearly "against you." This highlights the direct confrontation between the divine Redeemer and the oppressor. It signifies that the perpetrator of the injustice will face the personal and direct opposition of God Himself.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "For their Redeemer is mighty": This phrase underlines the formidable and unique nature of the guardian of the fatherless and widows. The go'el is not a human figure, but God, who is possessed of all power and strength, making Him an unstoppable force on behalf of the wronged.
- "He will plead their cause against you": This group of words describes God's active, direct, and confrontational engagement in the legal redress of injustice. It promises a personal, direct judgment and defense, indicating that the oppressor will face severe divine recompense for their actions.
Proverbs 23 11 Bonus section
- The prohibition against moving boundary stones appears multiple times in the Old Testament (e.g., Deut 19:14, 27:17), underscoring the vital importance of property rights and the preservation of inherited land within Israelite society. Violating this was considered a heinous act of theft and oppression.
- The phrase "fatherless and widow" collectively represents those utterly without recourse or means of defense in a patriarchal, family-oriented society, serving as an archetype for anyone lacking human protection. This pairing is consistently used throughout the Pentateuch, Prophets, and Psalms to denote the community's primary moral responsibility.
- The principle articulated here is universal: justice for the marginalized is central to God's heart. It speaks not only to direct theft but to any form of injustice or disadvantage imposed upon the helpless, indicating that such actions do not escape divine notice or judgment.
Proverbs 23 11 Commentary
Proverbs 23:11 offers a profound theological statement concerning God's character and justice. It serves as an immediate and potent warning against any form of exploitation targeting society's most defenseless, specifically the fatherless and widows. By identifying God as the "Redeemer" (Go'el) of these vulnerable ones, the verse transcends simple morality and imbues acts of injustice with immense spiritual gravity. Stealing their land or resources is not merely a crime against an individual but an affront to God Himself, who personally assumes the role of their avenger and advocate. His might ensures His effectiveness, and His willingness to "plead their cause against you" signifies a direct, unyielding, and powerful judicial confrontation with the oppressor. This proverb therefore highlights a cornerstone of biblical ethics: the protection of the weak is a reflection of God's own righteousness, and their mistreatment incurs divine retribution.