Proverbs 3:28 kjv

Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

Proverbs 3:28 nkjv

Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.

Proverbs 3:28 niv

Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"? when you already have it with you.

Proverbs 3:28 esv

Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" ? when you have it with you.

Proverbs 3:28 nlt

If you can help your neighbor now, don't say,
"Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you."

Proverbs 3 verses

Proverbs 3 28 Meaning

Proverbs 3:28 cautions against the selfish act of delaying immediate assistance to a neighbor when one has the means and opportunity to provide it instantly. It condemns the procrastination of charity, justice, or any form of help that is readily available. The verse underscores the importance of prompt compassion and faithful stewardship, emphasizing that one should not make a person return later for something they could receive at the moment.

Proverbs 3 28 Context

Proverbs chapter 3 extols the virtues and benefits of wisdom, understanding, and trust in the Lord. It transitions from general principles of aligning one's life with God's ways (vv. 1-12) to detailing wisdom's profound value (vv. 13-26). The latter part of the chapter, specifically verses 27-35, provides practical, ethical instructions on how to live righteously in community with others. These verses strongly admonish against various forms of harm or injustice towards one's neighbor, urging generosity, honesty, and peaceful conduct. Verse 28 is a specific directive within this section, immediately following the general command "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act" (Prov 3:27). It defines a particular instance of "withholding good" – the ungenerous and potentially deceitful act of promising future aid when present capacity allows for immediate provision. The historical and cultural context reflects a community where mutual support and swift assistance were vital for social cohesion and the well-being of the less fortunate, often in agrarian settings where delays could mean significant hardship. This verse implicitly sets itself against a spirit of indifference or stinginess, which might have been prevalent attitudes for those who had accumulated wealth or resources.

Proverbs 3 28 Word analysis

• Do not say (אַל-תֹּאמֶר - 'al to'mer): A strong prohibition, imperative in Hebrew, meaning "you shall not say" or "do not ever say." This directly forbids the speech act itself, implying the negative intent or consequence behind such a promise.
• to your neighbor (לְרֵעֲךָ - lera'akha): רֵעַ (re'a) refers to a fellow man, companion, friend, or associate, encompassing a broader social sphere than merely someone next door. It denotes a person with whom one has a social obligation, highlighting the importance of community ethics.
• Go, and come back (לֵךְ וָשׁוּב - lekh va'shuv): This is an idiomatic phrase implying a delaying tactic or a brush-off. It is an instruction that causes inconvenience and often creates doubt, signaling a reluctance to give.
• and tomorrow I will give it (וּמָחָר אֶתֵּן - u'machar 'etten): Explicitly states the delay. "Tomorrow" signifies a postponed action, which, in the context of need, can be oppressive or even equivalent to a refusal, especially when the need is immediate.
• when you have it with you (וְיֵשׁ אִתָּךְ - ve'yesh ittakh): This is the critical qualifying clause. וְיֵשׁ (ve'yesh) indicates "and there is," or "and you have/possess." אִתָּךְ (ittakh) means "with you" or "at your disposal." This signifies the presence of the required resource, or the capacity/ability to provide, at the very moment the request is made. This phrase eliminates any justification for delay due to lack of means; the moral failing is in the will to give, not the ability.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it'": This entire phrase delineates the specific harmful action. It highlights how a seemingly benign promise can, in fact, be an act of unkindness or injustice due to the imposed delay and potential burden on the person in need. It's a refusal disguised as a postponement.
  • "'Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,' when you have it with you.": This grouping powerfully contrasts the deceitful procrastination with the immediate capacity. It underscores the moral culpability that arises when one has the resources but chooses to delay help, rather than offering it promptly. It reveals an inner attitude that is unwilling to be immediately generous or just.

Proverbs 3 28 Bonus section

The Hebrew phrasing "when it is with you" (וְיֵשׁ אִתָּךְ) carries a sense of inherent presence and immediate availability, not merely future possession. It highlights the direct moral responsibility when the capacity for action is current and accessible. This contrasts with situations where one genuinely lacks the means, for which different ethical considerations apply. This verse reflects the communal wisdom of Israel, where social fabric was strengthened by reliable and immediate assistance among its members. The Septuagint, an early Greek translation of the Old Testament, interprets this clause somewhat differently, as "if you can benefit him" (ἐὰν παρῇ σοι - ean pare soi), subtly shifting the emphasis from "having it with you" to "being able to give." While slightly different, both interpretations underscore the imperative of immediate benevolence when it is possible. The core message is that procrastination in good deeds, particularly when resources are at hand, is morally indefensible. It points to a heart that prioritizes personal convenience over the neighbor's immediate need. This teaching resonates with New Testament calls for action-oriented faith and love.

Proverbs 3 28 Commentary

Proverbs 3:28 serves as a vital ethical instruction, urging a posture of immediate, practical compassion and honesty in one's dealings, particularly concerning aid and repayment. It's a prohibition against what might be considered a small social transgression but which carries significant moral weight. Delaying help, when one possesses the immediate means to provide it, demonstrates a lack of love, a deficit in integrity, and potentially, a form of active injustice. Such an act inconveniences the needy, adds to their distress, and undermines trust. The wisdom tradition teaches that true goodness is demonstrated not just by willingness to give, but by giving at the opportune moment, when the need is fresh and the capacity to meet it exists. This principle extends beyond charity to all areas of social obligation—from paying a debt to rendering a deserved favor. It is a call to align one's actions with genuine love for one's neighbor, a love that prompts immediate and effective response rather than deferred promises.

• Example 1: A friend asks to borrow a small sum for an urgent need. You have the money in your wallet. To say "Come back tomorrow" when you could give it immediately is what the verse warns against.
• Example 2: A worker is due his daily wage. Delaying payment until "tomorrow" when you have the funds readily available for him goes against the spirit of prompt justice.