Proverbs 16:8
Proverbs 16:8 in Multiple Translations
Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
Better is a litle with righteousnesse, then great reuenues without equitie.
Better [is] a little with righteousness, Than abundance of increase without justice.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.
Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
It is better to have a small amount of money that is earned honestly than to have a lot of money that is acquired dishonestly.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 16:8
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 16:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
טוֹב
מְ֭עַט
בִּ/צְדָקָ֑ה
מֵ/רֹ֥ב
תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת
בְּ/לֹ֣א
מִשְׁפָּֽט
טוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
מְ֭עַט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
little
N-ms
בִּ/צְדָקָ֑ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
righteousness
Prep | N-fs
מֵ/רֹ֥ב
rôb
H7230
abundance
Prep | N-cs
תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת
tᵉbûwʼâh
H8393
produce
N-fp
בְּ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Prep | Part
מִשְׁפָּֽט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
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 16:8
טוֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
מְ֭עַט
mᵉʻaṭ
H4592
"little"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means something is small or little in amount, like a few people or a short time. It appears in various Bible translations as almost, few, or small. In the Bible, it often describes something that is limited or lacking.
Definition: 1) littleness, few, a little, fewness 1a) little, small, littleness, fewness, too little, yet a little 1b) like a little, within a little, almost, just, hardly, shortly, little worth
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: almost (some, very) few(-er, -est), lightly, little (while), (very) small (matter, thing), some, soon, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 18:4; Job 15:11; Psalms 2:12.
בִּ/צְדָקָ֑ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
"righteousness"
Prep | N-fs
Encompasses the idea of righteousness, including justice, virtue, and morality, often describing God's attribute or the standard for human behavior. It is used to describe the ideal for personal conduct and societal norms, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life.
Definition: 1) justice, righteousness 1a) righteousness (in government) 1a1) of judge, ruler, king 1a2) of law 1a3) of Davidic king Messiah 1b) righteousness (of God's attribute) 1c) righteousness (in a case or cause) 1d) righteousness, truthfulness 1e) righteousness (as ethically right) 1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation 1f1) of God 1f2) prosperity (of people) 1g) righteous acts Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)
Usage: Occurs in 150 OT verses. KJV: justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness). See also: Genesis 15:6; Proverbs 16:31; Psalms 5:9.
מֵ/רֹ֥ב
rôb
H7230
"abundance"
Prep | N-cs
Describes abundance or greatness in the Bible, used to talk about God's power and creation in Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) multitude, abundance, greatness 1a) multitude 1a1) abundance, abundantly 1a2) numerous 1b) greatness
Usage: Occurs in 145 OT verses. KJV: abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age). See also: Genesis 16:10; Job 32:7; Psalms 5:8.
תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת
tᵉbûwʼâh
H8393
"produce"
N-fp
This word means produce or income, referring to crops, revenue, or even the product of our lips. It is translated as fruit, gain, or revenue in the KJV Bible.
Definition: 1) produce, product, revenue 1a) product, yield, crops (of the earth usually) 1b) income, revenue 1c) gain (of wisdom) (fig) 1d) product of lips (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: fruit, gain, increase, revenue. See also: Genesis 47:24; 2 Kings 8:6; Psalms 107:37.
בְּ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Prep | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
מִשְׁפָּֽט
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
Study Notes — Proverbs 16:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 16:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 16:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 16:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 16:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 16:8
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 16:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 16:8
- Sermons on Proverbs 16:8
Context — The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD
6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 15:16 | Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. |
| 2 | Psalms 37:16 | Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. |
| 3 | 1 Timothy 6:6–9 | Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 17:11 | Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.” |
| 5 | Micah 6:10 | Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed? |
| 6 | Proverbs 21:6–7 | Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. |
Proverbs 16:8 Summary
This verse means that it's better to have a small amount of something that is gained in a way that is right and fair, than to have a lot of something that is gained in a way that is wrong or unfair, as seen in Proverbs 16:8. This is because when we prioritize righteousness and integrity, we are able to live with a clear conscience and have peace, as promised in Proverbs 3:1-2 and Philippians 4:6-7. It's not always easy to make this choice, but it's an important one, because it reflects our values and character. By choosing to prioritize righteousness, we can trust that God will provide for our needs and guide us, as promised in Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 37:3-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a little with righteousness?
Having a little with righteousness means having a small amount of material possessions or earthly gain, but having it in a way that honors God and is in line with His will, as seen in Proverbs 16:8. This can be contrasted with having great gain that comes from unjust or unrighteous means, such as exploiting others or engaging in dishonest business practices, which is warned against in Proverbs 28:20.
How can I prioritize righteousness over great gain?
Prioritizing righteousness over great gain requires a heart that is surrendered to God and a commitment to following His ways, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. This means being willing to make sacrifices and take a stand for what is right, even if it means giving up earthly gain or comfort, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:29-30.
What are the consequences of choosing great gain with injustice?
Choosing great gain with injustice can lead to a range of negative consequences, including damage to one's relationships, reputation, and spiritual well-being, as warned against in Proverbs 1:10-19. It can also lead to a loss of peace and joy, as well as a sense of emptiness and discontentment, as seen in Ecclesiastes 5:10-12.
How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship?
This verse highlights the importance of being a good steward of the resources God has given us, using them in a way that honors Him and promotes righteousness, as seen in Matthew 25:14-30. This means being mindful of how we earn, use, and give our resources, and seeking to use them in a way that brings glory to God and benefits others, as taught in 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be tempted to prioritize great gain over righteousness, and how can I seek to align my actions with God's will?
- How can I cultivate a heart that values righteousness and integrity above earthly gain, and what role can prayer and scripture play in this process?
- What are some ways I can seek to promote justice and righteousness in my community, and how can I use my resources to make a positive impact?
- What does it mean to 'fear the Lord' in the context of Proverbs 16:6-7, and how does this relate to the idea of prioritizing righteousness over great gain?
- How can I balance the desire for financial security and provision with the need to prioritize righteousness and integrity, and what role can faith and trust play in this process?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 16:8
Better [is] a little with righteousness,.... Gotten in a righteous way, held by a righteous claim, used in a righteous manner, attended with a life of righteousness and holiness; and also along with
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 16:8
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 16:8
This was in effect said before, , and is here repeated, partly because of the great importance and usefulness of this truth, and partly because men are very hardly brought to a serious belief of it.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 16:8
Proverbs 16:8 Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.Ver. 8. Better is a little with righteousness, &c.] A small stock well gotten is more comfortably enjoyed and bequeathed to posterity than a cursed hoard of evil gotten goods. The reason why people "please not God, and are contrary to all men" - as this verse refers to the former - is, because they prefer gain before God, and care not how they wrong men so they may have it. See Proverbs 15:16.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 16:8
8. without right] Rather, with injustice, R.V., as preserving better the parallelism. Comp. Proverbs 15:16.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 16:8
8. Without right — îùׁ ?ôùׂ, (mishpat,) rectitude. The word means what is just, lawful, conformable to law; and which is better than great incomes obtained unlawfully, unjustly. Comp. Proverbs 15:16; Psalms 37:16.
Sermons on Proverbs 16:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Tragedies of Life by David Hocking | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the tragedies of life as described in Ecclesiastes chapter 4. He highlights the oppression and lack of comfort experienced by the oppressed, |
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The Primacy of Self by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon on Fear, the preacher delves into the various uses of 'phobos' in the Bible, highlighting how it can describe both positive and negative senses of fear. While fear c |
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God's People Will Never Be Ashamed by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God during times of fear and calamity. It highlights the need to commit to God's promises, believe in His ability to work mirac |
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God's People Will Never Be Ashamed in the Time of Calamity by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God during times of fear and calamity, highlighting the need to commit to God's promises and believe in His ability to work mir |
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The Great Divide by Chuck Smith | This sermon focuses on the great divide between those who serve God faithfully and those who have forsaken Him, as depicted in Matthew 25. It emphasizes the importance of worshipin |
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(How to Understand the Kjv Bible) 45 Psalm 37 by Keith Simons | Keith Simons teaches on Psalm 37, emphasizing David's reflections on the fate of the righteous versus the wicked. He encourages believers not to fret over evildoers, as their prosp |
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True Poverty of Spirit by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the concept of true poverty of spirit, illustrating how the human heart is ensnared by a fierce desire for material possessions, which distracts from a genuin |