Proverbs 28:19
Proverbs 28:19 in Multiple Translations
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.
If you cultivate the land you'll have plenty of food, but if you chase fantasies you'll end up with nothing.
He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth the idle, shall be filled with pouertie.
Whoso is tilling his ground is satisfied [with] bread, And whoso is pursuing vanity, Is filled [with] poverty.
One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness shall be filled with poverty.
Farmers who work hard in their fields will produce good crops and always have plenty of food to eat, but those who spend all their time ◄on useless projects/doing things that do not benefit anyone► will become very poor.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 28:19
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 28:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עֹבֵ֣ד
אַ֭דְמָת/וֹ
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
לָ֑חֶם
וּ/מְרַדֵּ֥ף
רֵ֝קִ֗ים
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
רִֽישׁ
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/מְרַדֵּ֥ף
râdaph
H7291
to pursue
Conj | V-Piel
רֵ֝קִ֗ים
rêyq
H7386
worthless
Adj
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
sâbaʻ
H7646
to satisfy
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
רִֽישׁ
rêysh
H7389
poverty
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 28:19
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/מְרַדֵּ֥ף
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.
רֵ֝קִ֗ים
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.
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.
רִֽישׁ
rêysh
H7389
"poverty"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means poverty or being poor. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who lacks material possessions. The KJV translates it as 'poverty'.
Definition: poverty Also means: rish (רִישׁ "poverty" H7389B)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: poverty. See also: Proverbs 6:11; Proverbs 24:34; Proverbs 10:15.
Study Notes — Proverbs 28:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 28:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 28:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 28:19
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 28:19
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
- Sermons on Proverbs 28:19
Context — The Boldness of the Righteous
17A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.
18He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.
19The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished. 21To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 12:11 | The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. |
| 2 | Judges 9:4 | So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | Luke 15:12–17 | The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing. Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death! |
| 5 | Proverbs 23:20–21 | Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags. |
| 6 | Proverbs 14:4 | Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. |
| 7 | Proverbs 13:20 | He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. |
Proverbs 28:19 Summary
This verse teaches us that when we work hard and are responsible, we will have enough to eat and take care of our needs, but when we chase after unrealistic dreams or get-rich-quick schemes, we will end up with nothing. It's like the difference between planting a garden and expecting a harvest, versus just wishing for food to appear - one approach brings results, while the other brings only disappointment, as seen in Proverbs 10:4. By being diligent and responsible, we can trust in God's provision and promises, as seen in Matthew 6:33. This principle can be applied to our spiritual lives as well, where diligence in prayer and Bible study can bring spiritual growth and provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'work his land' in Proverbs 28:19?
Working one's land refers to being diligent and responsible in one's daily tasks and duties, as seen in Proverbs 10:4, where it says that a slack hand leads to poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes one rich.
What are 'fantasies' in this verse?
The fantasies mentioned in Proverbs 28:19 are likely get-rich-quick schemes or unrealistic expectations that distract from hard work and responsibility, similar to the warnings against foolishness in Proverbs 12:11.
Does this verse promise wealth to those who work hard?
While Proverbs 28:19 does promise plenty of food to those who work their land, it's not a guarantee of wealth, but rather a promise of provision, as seen in Matthew 6:33, where Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to us.
How does this verse relate to our spiritual lives?
This verse can be applied to our spiritual lives by recognizing that just as working our land brings physical provision, being diligent in our spiritual pursuits, such as prayer and Bible study, will bring spiritual growth and provision, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:15, where we are encouraged to be diligent in presenting ourselves approved to God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'fantasies' or unrealistic expectations that I may be chasing in my own life, and how can I redirect my focus to more productive and responsible pursuits?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of diligence and responsibility in my own work or daily tasks, and how might this impact my spiritual life?
- How can I balance the need to work and provide for my physical needs with the importance of seeking spiritual growth and provision?
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's provision and promises, rather than relying on my own efforts or get-rich-quick schemes, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 28:19
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread,.... Or, "shall he filled" or "satisfied with bread" (s): shall have bread enough, and to spare; provisions of all sorts, and in great plenty; [See
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 28:19
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. Proverbs 12:11, note.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
That followeth after vain persons; choosing their company, and imitating their example; who gives up himself to vanity and idleness, and so is fitly opposed to the diligent man in the former clause.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
Proverbs 28:19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough.Ver. 19. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty.] At fugiens molam fugit farinam: Men must earn it ere they eat it; and not think that bread and other good things will drop out of the clouds to them, as towns were said to come in to Timotheus’ s toils while he slept. See Proverbs 12:11. Shall have poverty enough.] As the prodigal had, and Pythius, who in a bravery entertained Xerxes’ s whole army, but was so poor at length that he perished through want of meat. Plut. in Sulla.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
(19) He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread.—The curse of Gen 3:17-19 being, in God’s mercy, turned into a blessing.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
Verse 19. He that tilleth his land] See Proverbs 12:11.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 28:19
19. Comp. Proverbs 12:11.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 28:19
19. Shall have plenty — Shall have enough, and more than enough; shall be satiated. Comp. Proverbs 12:11. Vain persons — Worthless fellows: “vanities.” — Conant. Substantially the same term as in Matthew 5:22.
Sermons on Proverbs 28:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
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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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 |
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The Lost Sheep Restored by J.C. Philpot | Greek Word Studies delves into the meaning of 'kenos,' which signifies emptiness, futility, and lack of effectiveness, whether in material, intellectual, moral, or spiritual aspect |
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(Through the Bible) Proverbs by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs, emphasizing the importance of balancing devotion to God with practical living on earth. It covers a wide array of |
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The Freak Accident That Laid Me on My Back for Several Months Caused Me to Stop Long Enough to Hear God’s Voice. by Bill Elliff | Bill Elliff preaches about the importance of being a true shepherd who genuinely cares for and loves God's people, emphasizing the need to evaluate one's motives and actions as a p |
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For the Care of the Monastery's Property by St. Benedict of Nursia | St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of caring for the monastery's property by appointing trustworthy sisters to oversee tools, clothing, and other articles. The Abbess |