Proverbs 13:11
Proverbs 13:11 in Multiple Translations
Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; But he that gathereth by labor shall have increase.
Wealth quickly got will become less; but he who gets a store by the work of his hands will have it increased.
Wealth gained by fraud quickly disappears, but those who gather bit by bit prosper.
The riches of vanitie shall diminish: but he that gathereth with the hand, shall increase them.
Wealth from vanity becometh little, And whoso is gathering by the hand becometh great.
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.
Substance got in haste shall be diminished: but that which by little and little is gathered with the hand shall increase.
Those who acquire a lot of money quickly by doing what is wrong, probably will lose it quickly, but if people earn money slowly, the amount of money they have will increase.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 13:11
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 13:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ה֭וֹן
מֵ/הֶ֣בֶל
יִמְעָ֑ט
וְ/קֹבֵ֖ץ
עַל
יָ֣ד
יַרְבֶּֽה
ה֭וֹן
hôwn
H1952
substance
N-ms
מֵ/הֶ֣בֶל
hebel
H1892
vanity
Prep | N-ms
יִמְעָ֑ט
mâʻaṭ
H4591
to diminish
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/קֹבֵ֖ץ
qâbats
H6908
to gather
Conj | V-Qal
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יָ֣ד
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cs
יַרְבֶּֽה
râbâh
H7235
to multiply
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
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 13:11
ה֭וֹן
hôwn
H1952
"substance"
N-ms
This word refers to wealth or substance, implying that something is enough or of high value. It can also be translated as riches or sufficiency.
Definition: 1) wealth, riches, substance 1a) wealth 1b) price, high value interj 2) enough!, sufficiency
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: enough, [phrase] for nought, riches, substance, wealth. See also: Psalms 44:13; Proverbs 19:4; Psalms 112:3.
מֵ/הֶ֣בֶל
hebel
H1892
"vanity"
Prep | N-ms
Hebel means emptiness or vanity, describing something transitory and unsatisfactory, like a breath of air. It appears in the book of Ecclesiastes, where Solomon writes about life's fleeting nature. The KJV translates it as vanity or altogether.
Definition: 1) vapour, breath 1a) breath, vapour 1b) vanity (fig.) adv 2) vainly
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] altogether, vain, vanity. See also: Deuteronomy 32:21; Ecclesiastes 4:7; Psalms 31:7.
יִמְעָ֑ט
mâʻaṭ
H4591
"to diminish"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to make something smaller or less. It can describe reducing a quantity or making something less effective. The KJV translates it as diminish or make few.
Definition: 1) to be or become small, be few, be diminished 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to diminish 1a2) to be too small 1b) (Piel) to become few 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make small, make few, diminish 1c2) to give less
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: suffer to decrease, diminish, (be, [idiom] borrow a, give, make) few (in number, -ness), gather least (little), be (seem) little, ([idiom] give the) less, be minished, bring to nothing. See also: Exodus 12:4; 2 Kings 4:3; Psalms 107:38.
וְ/קֹבֵ֖ץ
qâbats
H6908
"to gather"
Conj | V-Qal
To gather or collect people or things, like when the Israelites assembled in the book of Numbers. It's about bringing things or people together in one place.
Definition: 1) to gather, assemble 1a) (Qal) to gather, collect, assemble 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, gather 1b2) to be gathered 1c) (Piel) to gather, gather together, take away 1d) (Pual) to be gathered together 1e) (Hithpael) to gather together, be gathered together
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up. See also: Genesis 41:35; Proverbs 28:8; Psalms 41:7.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יָ֣ד
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cs
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
יַרְבֶּֽה
râbâh
H7235
"to multiply"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
Study Notes — Proverbs 13:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 13:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 13:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 13:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 13:11
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 13:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
- Sermons on Proverbs 13:11
Context — A Father’s Discipline
9The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
10Arrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
11Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.
12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 13He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 20:21 | An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end. |
| 2 | Proverbs 10:2 | Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. |
| 3 | James 5:1–5 | Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter. |
| 4 | Proverbs 28:8 | He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor. |
| 5 | Proverbs 13:22–23 | A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away. |
| 6 | Proverbs 27:23–27 | Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation. When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you— food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants. |
| 7 | Proverbs 28:20 | A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished. |
| 8 | Job 27:16–17 | Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay, what he lays up, the righteous will wear, and his silver will be divided by the innocent. |
| 9 | Proverbs 28:22 | A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him. |
| 10 | Psalms 128:2 | For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. |
Proverbs 13:11 Summary
[This verse teaches us that getting rich quickly through dishonest means will not last, but working hard and being honest will bring true prosperity. As it says in Proverbs 10:4-5, those who work hard and are diligent will be blessed. We should focus on seeking first the Kingdom of God, as taught in Matthew 6:33, and trust that He will provide for our needs. By doing so, we can experience true wealth and prosperity that comes from God, as stated in Deuteronomy 8:18.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for wealth to be 'dishonest' in Proverbs 13:11?
Dishonest wealth refers to riches obtained through deceit, theft, or other unrighteous means, as seen in Proverbs 21:6, where it is written that 'treasures gained by wickedness do not profit'
How does hard work lead to multiplied earnings according to this verse?
The Bible teaches that diligent labor and wise stewardship, as seen in Proverbs 10:4-5, will ultimately result in increased blessings and prosperity, as God honors those who work hard and are faithful with what they have been given
Is this verse promising that everyone who works hard will become wealthy?
While Proverbs 13:11 does suggest that hard work can lead to increased earnings, it is essential to remember that true prosperity and wealth come from God, as stated in Deuteronomy 8:18, and that our primary focus should be on seeking first the Kingdom of God, as taught in Matthew 6:33
What is the main lesson or takeaway from Proverbs 13:11?
The primary lesson from this verse is that God honors integrity, hard work, and faithfulness, while condemning dishonest and unrighteous means of obtaining wealth, as seen in Psalm 37:3-4, which encourages us to trust in the Lord and do good
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have sought to acquire wealth or success through dishonest means, and how can I repent and seek a more righteous path?
- In what areas of my life can I apply the principle of hard work and diligent labor to see increased blessings and prosperity?
- How can I prioritize seeking first the Kingdom of God, as taught in Matthew 6:33, and trust that He will provide for my needs?
- What does it mean for me to 'respect a command' as mentioned in Proverbs 13:13, and how can I demonstrate my respect for God's commands in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 13:11
Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished,.... In an unjust or unlawful way, either by robbery and theft, as Aben Ezra; or by fraud and tricking, by overreaching and circumventing others; or by
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 13:11
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
By vanity; by vain, or deceitful, or wicked practices. Shall be diminished, because the curse of God attends upon it. By labour; by diligence in an honest calling.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.Ver. 11. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished.] De male quaesitis vix gaudet tertius haeres, Ill-gotten goods fly away without taking leave of the owner; leaving nothing but the print of talons to torment him. Many when they have a loss in their riches, it is as it were raked out of their bellies. A piece of their very heart goes with it. But he that gathereth by labour shall increase.] Howbeit sometimes it is otherwise: "Master, we have laboured all night and taken nothing." "Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?" There is a curse upon unlawful practices, though men be industrious, as in Jehoiakim. Horat.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
(11) Wealth gotten by vanity.—As we should say, “in an unsatisfactory manner,” that is to say, by dishonesty.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
Verse 11. Wealth gotten by vanity] Wealth that is not the result of honest industry and hard labour is seldom permanent. All fortunes acquired by speculation, lucky hits, and ministering to the pride or luxury of others, &c., soon become dissipated. They are not gotten in the way of Providence, and have not God's blessing, and therefore are not permanent.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 13:11
11. by vanity] i.e. by untrustworthy methods, such as speculation, gambling, high rate of interest with poor security (comp. Proverbs 21:6), in contrast to hard work, by labour (lit. with the hand). The word vanity in this sense of what is unreliable and transitory is a key-word of the Book of Ecclesiastes. The LXX. and Vulg. render in haste, quick returns, ἐπισπουδαζομένη (with the addition μετὰἀνομίας), festinata.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 13:11
By vanity - literally, “by a breath,” i. e., by a windfall, or sudden stroke of fortune, not by honest labor.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 13:11
11. Wealth… by vanity — Hebrew, from nothing, or without effort, “by fraud or impatient dishonesty.” — Zockler. Shall be diminished — Waste away.
Sermons on Proverbs 13:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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41 - Preparation Questions for North Korea Opening by Ben Torrey | In this sermon, Ben Torrey discusses the importance of preparing for the opening of North Korea through the Prepared People Organization. He emphasizes the need to understand the d |
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The Sin of Gambling by Mose Stolzfus | Mose Stolzfus delivers a powerful sermon on the sin of gambling, highlighting the alarming statistics of the billions spent on various forms of gambling in America. He emphasizes t |
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Profit on Loss? a Treatise on Gambling by W.T. Atkin | W.T. Atkin preaches against the dangers of gambling, highlighting the selfishness, covetousness, and harm it brings to individuals, families, and society. He emphasizes that gambli |
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When God Is Silent and Evil Prevails by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the feelings of abandonment and confusion when God seems silent amidst the prevalence of evil in the world. He emphasizes the importance of venting to God, |
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Stealing the Shower by Ed Wrather | Ed Wrather preaches about the importance of ceasing from stealing and instead working with one's hands to provide for oneself and others in need. He emphasizes that stealing goes a |
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"Rebuke to Prosperity Preachers" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon challenges the notion of prosperity gospel by questioning why God rebukes those who claim to be rich and increased with goods. It delves into the discrepancy between th |
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Testimony - Part 10 by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for action and accountability in our Christian faith. He highlights how in the West, we have an abundance of teaching and resources, |