Proverbs 12:11
Proverbs 12:11 in Multiple Translations
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding.
He who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase after worthless things you're stupid.
He that tilleth his lande, shalbe satisfied with bread: but he that followeth the idle, is destitute of vnderstanding.
Whoso is tilling the ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that pursueth idleness is very foolish. He that is delighted in passing his time over wine, leaveth a reproach in his strong holds.
Farmers who work hard in their fields will produce good crops that will give them plenty to eat, but those who waste their time working on worthless projects are foolish.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 12:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 12:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עֹבֵ֣ד
אַ֭דְמָת/וֹ
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
לָ֑חֶם
וּ/מְרַדֵּ֖ף
רֵיקִ֣ים
חֲסַר
לֵֽב
עֹבֵ֣ד
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
V-Qal
אַ֭דְמָת/וֹ
ʼădâmâh
H127
land
N-fs | Suff
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
sâbaʻ
H7646
to satisfy
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לָ֑חֶם
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs
וּ/מְרַדֵּ֖ף
râdaph
H7291
to pursue
Conj | V-Piel
רֵיקִ֣ים
rêyq
H7386
worthless
Adj
חֲסַר
châçêr
H2638
lacking
Adj
לֵֽב
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 12:11
עֹבֵ֣ד
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
V-Qal
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
אַ֭דְמָת/וֹ
ʼădâmâh
H127
"land"
N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.
Definition: : soil 1) ground, land 1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance) 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing) 1d) ground as earth's visible surface 1e) land, territory, country 1f) whole inhabited earth 1g) city in Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. See also: Genesis 1:25; 1 Kings 8:40; Psalms 49:12.
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
sâbaʻ
H7646
"to satisfy"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Definition: 1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be sated (with food) 1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied) 1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with 1a3a) to be weary of (fig) 1b) (Piel) to satisfy 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to satisfy 1c2) to enrich 1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. See also: Exodus 16:8; Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 17:14.
לָ֑חֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
וּ/מְרַדֵּ֖ף
râdaph
H7291
"to pursue"
Conj | V-Piel
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Samuel 20:13; Psalms 7:2.
רֵיקִ֣ים
rêyq
H7386
"worthless"
Adj
In the Bible, this word describes something that is empty or worthless, like an empty vessel or a person without value. It is used to emphasize the importance of being filled with purpose or meaning.
Definition: 1) empty, vain 1a) empty (of vessels) 1b) empty, idle, worthless (ethically)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: emptied(-ty), vain (fellow, man). See also: Genesis 37:24; 2 Kings 4:3; Proverbs 12:11.
חֲסַר
châçêr
H2638
"lacking"
Adj
Being in need or lacking something is what this word means. It describes a state of poverty or want, often used to describe people who are struggling. The Bible talks about lack and need in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Definition: in need of, lacking, needy, in want of
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want. See also: 1 Samuel 21:16; Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 6:32.
לֵֽב
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
Study Notes — Proverbs 12:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 12:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 12:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 12:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 12:11
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 12:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
- Sermons on Proverbs 12:11
Context — Loving Discipline and Knowledge
9Better to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant, than to be self-important but lack food.
10A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.
11The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
12The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 28:19 | The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. |
| 2 | Proverbs 14:23 | There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. |
| 3 | 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12 | and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone. |
| 4 | Psalms 128:2 | For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. |
| 5 | Ephesians 4:28 | He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. |
| 6 | 2 Thessalonians 3:8 | nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. |
| 7 | Proverbs 9:6 | Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” |
| 8 | Proverbs 7:7 | I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, |
| 9 | Proverbs 14:4 | Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. |
| 10 | Genesis 3:19 | By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground— because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” |
Proverbs 12:11 Summary
This verse is saying that when we work hard and are responsible, we will have what we need, but when we chase after unrealistic dreams or get-rich-quick schemes, we will lack good judgment. It's like what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to us. By trusting in God and being responsible with what He has given us, we can have peace and contentment, rather than constantly striving after something that may never come. As Proverbs 28:19 says, the one who works his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'work his land' in Proverbs 12:11?
Working one's land refers to being diligent and responsible in one's daily tasks and pursuits, as seen in Proverbs 10:4, which says that diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
What are 'fantasies' that the verse warns against chasing?
Fantasies in this context likely refer to get-rich-quick schemes, unrealistic expectations, or pursuits that are not grounded in reality, similar to the warnings against foolishness in Proverbs 9:6 and the importance of seeking wisdom in Proverbs 3:13-18.
How does this verse relate to faith and trust in God?
This verse emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's provision and being responsible with the resources He has given us, as seen in Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus teaches us not to worry about our needs but to seek first the kingdom of God.
Is this verse saying that hard work is all we need to be successful?
While hard work is important, this verse is not saying that it is the only factor in success; rather, it emphasizes the importance of combining hard work with wisdom and responsibility, as seen in Proverbs 10:22, which says that the blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'fantasies' that I may be chasing in my own life, and how can I redirect my focus to more meaningful pursuits?
- How can I apply the principle of working diligently and being responsible in my own daily tasks and pursuits?
- In what ways can I trust God to provide for my needs, even as I work hard to be responsible with the resources He has given me?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate wisdom and discernment in my decision-making, so that I can avoid chasing after unrealistic or unwise pursuits?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 12:11
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread,.... This was man's work in innocence; this he was doomed to do with the sweat of his brow after his fall; every man has his land to till, or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 12:11
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
That tilleth his land; that employeth his time and strength in an honest calling. That followeth vain persons; that useth their society and idle course of living. Is void of understanding; shall through his own folly want bread.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
Proverbs 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain [persons is] void of understanding.Ver. 11. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied, &c.] This is true of all other lawful callings, manual or mental, - the sweat of the brow or of the brain. Sin brought in sweat, and now not to sweat increaseth sin. Men must earn their bread before they eat it, and be diligent in their callings to serve God and men, themselves and others, with the fatness and sweetness thereof, and then they have a promise they shall be fed. But he that followeth vain persons, &c.] It is hard to be a good fellow and a good husband too. Qui aequo animo malis immiscetur, malus est, saith one, He that delights in bad company cannot be good.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
(11) Vain persons.—Or, things, such as “searching for hid treasures” (Proverbs 2:4).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
Verse 11. He that tilleth his land] God's blessing will be in the labour of the honest agriculturist. But he that followeth vain persons] He who, while he should be cultivating his ground, preparing for a future crop, or reaping his harvest, associates with fowlers, coursers of hares, hunters of foxes, or those engaged in any champaign amusements, is void of understanding; and I have known several such come to beggary. To this verse the Septuagint add the following clause: οςεστινηδυςενοινωνδιατριβαις, εντοιςεαυτουοχυρωμασικαταλειψειατιμιαν. "He who is a boon companion in banquets, shall leave dishonour in his own fortresses." This has been copied by the Vulgate and the Arabic. That is The man who frequents the ale-house enriches that, while he impoverishes his own habitation.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 12:11
11. vain persons] We may either supply persons, with A.V. and R.V. text: or things, with R.V. marg. and LXX. μάταια, Vulg. sectatur otium, and in accordance with the usage of this Book in following the Heb. verb here employed by an accus. of a thing, Proverbs 11:19, Proverbs 15:9. In the former case the argument expanded will be: To keep bad company argues want of understanding, because it leads not to plenty but to lack of bread. In the latter case we may understand by vain things, idle, useless occupations, thus preserving the contrast to the honest labour of the former clause of the verse. The LXX. and Vulg. have an interesting addition: “He that takes pleasure in tarrying long at the wine Shall leave dishonour in his own stronghold;” as an example probably of the general principle of the proverb. Comp. Proverbs 21:17.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 12:11
The contrast is carried on between the life of industry and that of the idle, “vain person” of the “baser sort” (the “Raca” of Matthew 5:22).
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 12:11
11. Satisfied with bread — Shall have plenty. Vain persons — øé÷éí, (rekim,) the raca of Mat 5:22.
Sermons on Proverbs 12:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Fight the Good Fight of Faith by A.B. Simpson | The sermon delves into the significance of the term 'RACA' in biblical times, portraying it as a word of utter contempt and dehumanizing contempt used by the Jews during the time o |
|
Are You Ready for a Relationship? by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impact of media and video games on our perception of reality. He highlights how the constant bombardment of fantastical images and experie |
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(Proverbs) ch.28:19 - 29:17 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of discipline in our daily lives, even in our interactions with others. He highlights Proverbs 28:20, which warns against the |
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(Dangers in the Way Series): Dangers of Idleness and Busyness by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the dangers that Christians may encounter on their spiritual journey. The speaker emphasizes the importance of walking circumspectly and not b |
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27 - Ministry Plans for Work Camp Schools by Ben Torrey | The sermon transcript discusses the daily work and activities at the 3C's ranch, where participants engage in various tasks such as weeding, cleaning, and preparing pastures. The w |
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Idleness Is the Enemy of the Soul by St. Benedict of Nursia | St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of staying occupied with both manual labor and sacred reading to combat idleness, which is seen as the enemy of the soul. He provid |
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Death and Christ's Lordship by John Murray | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of Christ being formed in each believer, leading to the hope of glory. The preacher highlights the joy that comes from knowin |