Proverbs 28 19

Proverbs 28:19 kjv

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

Proverbs 28:19 nkjv

He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

Proverbs 28:19 niv

Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.

Proverbs 28:19 esv

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

Proverbs 28:19 nlt

A hard worker has plenty of food,
but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty.

Proverbs 28 verses

Proverbs 28 19 Meaning

Proverbs 28:19 contrasts the outcomes of diligent labor with those of idle and baseless pursuits. It teaches that consistent, practical effort directed towards tangible responsibilities, such as working one's land, inevitably leads to abundance and satisfaction in basic necessities. Conversely, those who actively chase after empty, worthless, or unrealistic schemes and dreams, devoid of substance or proper effort, will find themselves thoroughly consumed by dire poverty. It emphasizes a direct and profound correlation between practical diligence and material well-being, versus misplaced energy and destitution.

Proverbs 28 19 Context

Proverbs, as a book of wisdom, frequently employs stark contrasts to convey moral and practical truths. It outlines principles for a successful life lived in alignment with God's design, emphasizing diligence, honesty, and wise decision-making while warning against idleness, deceit, and folly. Proverbs 28 itself focuses on discerning between the righteous and the wicked, and the resulting outcomes in various spheres of life, including governance, wealth, and personal conduct.

Verse 19 fits within this practical wisdom, addressing the tangible consequences of one's approach to labor and economic activity. In an agrarian society, "working his land" was a foundational and highly literal illustration of diligent effort. Land was the primary source of wealth and sustenance. The proverb therefore speaks directly to the immediate realities of its original audience, where diligent cultivation ensured food, while neglect or pursuit of "empty things" meant certain famine. The verse underscores the enduring truth that true prosperity comes through steady, productive effort, not through frivolous distractions or empty schemes.

Proverbs 28 19 Word analysis

• He who works: עֹבֵ֣ד ('oved): From the root עָבַד (avad), meaning "to serve," "to labor," "to cultivate." This term denotes devoted, diligent, and continuous application to a task. It's not passive waiting, but active, committed effort.

• his land: אַדְמָת֗וֹ ('admāto): Derived from אֲדָמָה (adamah), meaning "ground" or "land." This refers to a tangible, legitimate, and productive sphere of work. It implies responsibility, stewardship over one's own means of production. In a broader sense, it signifies focusing one's efforts on real, substantive work or responsibilities within their purview.

• will have abundant food: יִשְׂבַּֽע־לָ֑חֶם (yiśba'-lāḥem): יִשְׂבַּע (yisba') is from שָׂבַע (saba'), meaning "to be satisfied," "to be full," "to have plenty." לָ֑חֶם (laḥem) means "bread" or "food." This phrase signifies not merely subsistence, but satisfaction and abundance. The diligence applied to real work yields more than enough provision.

• but he who chases: מְרַדֵּף (meraddef): From רָדַף (radaph), meaning "to pursue," "to chase," "to follow after." This indicates an active, determined effort, but in this context, it's misguided. It's not mere idleness but a purposeful, yet ultimately unproductive, pursuit.

• fantasies / worthless things: רֵיקִים (rêqîm): This crucial term is plural of רֵיק (req), meaning "empty," "vain," "worthless," "frivolous," "unreal." These are pursuits lacking substance, value, or reality. It can refer to speculative ventures, empty philosophical ideas, get-rich-quick schemes, idle dreams, or simply endeavors that yield no fruit. This contrasts sharply with the tangible "land."

• will have poverty in abundance: יִשְׂבַּֽע־רִ֑ישׁ (yiśba'-rîš): יִשְׂבַּֽע (yisba') is again "to be satisfied" or "full," used ironically here. רִ֑ישׁ (rish) means "poverty," "destitution," "lack." The repeated use of "satisfied" ("to be full of") powerfully emphasizes the degree of destitution—not just some poverty, but utterly and completely filled with it. It's a bitter satisfaction.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "He who works his land": This phrase embodies the principle of diligent, hands-on, and legitimate labor in one's own domain. It represents practical, sustained effort towards a clear, productive end.
  • "will have abundant food": This highlights the natural and divine consequence of such effort—sure and ample provision. It speaks of security and contentment arising from faithful stewardship and hard work.
  • "but he who chases fantasies": This presents a striking contrast, denoting active, misdirected energy. It’s not simply avoiding work, but expending effort on unproductive, illusory, or vain enterprises, characterized by lack of foundation or reality. This can involve unrealistic speculative ventures, engaging in unproductive gossip, or endlessly pursuing frivolous leisure.
  • "will have poverty in abundance": This stark outcome underscores the severity of the negative consequences. The irony of being "full" of poverty amplifies the miserable completeness of destitution, a direct and devastating harvest from misspent effort and misplaced ambition.

Proverbs 28 19 Bonus section

This proverb reinforces the foundational biblical principle of work, first introduced in the Garden of Eden where Adam was tasked to "work and keep" the garden (Gen 2:15). It teaches against the idea of magical or unearned prosperity, aligning with the "sowing and reaping" principle found throughout Scripture (Gal 6:7-8). The contrast serves as a powerful polemic against idleness and misdirected effort often found in societies that might romanticize unearned wealth or mystical solutions over practical, daily commitment. It implicitly encourages a robust work ethic, acknowledging that God blesses diligent hands and the focused effort expended on what is real and true. It's a call to practical wisdom, grounding life in tangible, productive effort rather than being carried away by hollow pursuits.

Proverbs 28 19 Commentary

Proverbs 28:19 encapsulates a fundamental principle of God's design for human flourishing: sustained, purposeful diligence yields tangible provision, whereas misdirected or idle pursuits lead to desolation. It presents a vivid, agriculturally-rooted analogy for universal economic and life truths. The "land" represents one's allocated sphere of responsibility—whether a literal farm, a career, family duties, or spiritual stewardship. Cultivating it implies applying oneself diligently, investing effort and skill. The promise of "abundant food" assures not just survival, but true satisfaction and security for basic needs.

In stark opposition, "chasing fantasies" describes the tragic misdirection of energy. This isn't passive laziness but an active, futile pursuit of "empty things." This could manifest as chasing unrealistic get-rich-quick schemes, engaging in perpetual entertainment without productive effort, endlessly pursuing vain philosophical or speculative ideas without practical application, or simply being preoccupied with anything that lacks true substance and real-world value. The tragic irony is that those who pursue emptiness will become "filled" with emptiness themselves, epitomized by "poverty in abundance."

This proverb strongly aligns with the biblical emphasis on hard work, responsibility, and stewarding God-given resources. It challenges mindsets that seek easy gain without effort or prioritize frivolous pursuits over diligent application. Its wisdom transcends time and culture, asserting that true provision and satisfaction spring from disciplined labor in genuine endeavors, not from empty promises or fanciful diversions. For example, a student diligently studying their textbooks (working their land) will likely achieve good grades and future success, while one who spends their time dreaming about unearned wealth or solely engaging in superficial social media (chasing fantasies) will likely fail academically and face financial hardship. Similarly, a believer dedicated to cultivating spiritual disciplines will grow, while one who chases spiritual fads without rooted devotion will remain unfruitful.