Proverbs 15:6 — Word Study
WLCבֵּ֣ית צַ֭דִּיק חֹ֣סֶן רָ֑ב וּבִתְבוּאַ֖ת רָשָׁ֣ע נֶעְכָּֽרֶת׃
BSAThe housebayith [dwelling place, family home] of the righteoustsaddîyq [just, morally upright] has greatrab [abundant, much] treasurechôçen [wealth, riches] but the incometᵉbûwʼâh [produce, revenue] of the wickedrâshâʻ [morally wrong, guilty] is troubleʻâkar [to trouble, causing problems]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בֵּ֣ית | [the] house of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| צַ֭דִּיק | a righteous [person] | Adj |
| חֹ֣סֶן | wealth | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| רָ֑ב | great | Adj |
| וּבִתְבוּאַ֖ת | and with [the] income of | Conjunction, preposition, noun common feminine singular construct |
| רָשָׁ֣ע | a wicked [person] | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| נֶעְכָּֽרֶת׃ | trouble | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) feminine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble. |
| KJV | In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. |
| ASV | In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. |
| YLT | [In] the house of the righteous [is] abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked — trouble. |
| WEB | In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. |
| BBE | In the house of the upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the sinner there is trouble. |
Where they part company is רָ֑ב — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by a contrasting clause, emphasizing the difference between the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectעָכַר
verbעָכַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 15:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom on Righteousness and Wickednessgenerated
Proverbs 15:6 contrasts the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing the value of living a just life. The surrounding verses further explore themes of wisdom, discipline, and the consequences of one's actions, illustrating the broader moral teachings found in the Book of Proverbs.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 15:16 | Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. |
| 2 | Proverbs 8:21 | bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. |
| 3 | Proverbs 13:22 | A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. |
| 4 | Proverbs 21:20 | Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. |
| 5 | Psalm 112:3 | Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חֹ֣סֶן, Cho.sengenerated
The Hebrew word חֹ֫סֶן (*cho'sen*) means wealth or riches, indicating material abundance. It is derived from a root that suggests strength and is often used in contexts that highlight the value of possessions. In this verse, it signifies the treasure found in the house of the righteous, suggesting that their moral standing brings about prosperity.
This noun appears in a few instances throughout the Old Testament, often in discussions about the wealth of the righteous versus the wicked. The parsing indicates it is a common noun, singular and absolute, emphasizing the concept of wealth as an entity in itself.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB uses great treasure and trouble, which are also reflected in the KJV and ASV, highlighting a consistent understanding of the contrast between the righteous and the wicked.
Where translations differ is in the rendering of רָ֑ב — great. Some versions like the ASV and KJV choose much, while others like the BSB and WEB prefer great. This indicates a slight variation in emphasis on the quantity versus the quality of the treasure.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of this verse is straightforward, with a main clause describing the house of the righteous and a contrasting clause about the income of the wicked. The finite verb is implied in the context, linking the two ideas together.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the house of the righteous first, establishing it as the focal point before introducing the contrasting income of the wicked, which serves to highlight the disparity between the two.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew term for house, בַּיִת, is rendered as οἴκοις, which also means 'houses'. This choice maintains the focus on physical dwelling while also implying a broader sense of community or family.
The Greek word for wicked, δικαίων, captures the moral aspect of the term, indicating a contrast between those who are just and those who are not, aligning with the Hebrew intention.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 15:6 contrasts the house of the righteous, which has great treasure, with the income of the wicked, which leads to trouble. This verse teaches that living a righteous life brings blessings, while wickedness results in difficulties.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that those who live righteously are blessed with wealth and abundance, both materially and spiritually.
The income of the wicked is often gained through dishonest means, leading to problems and distress rather than true prosperity.
Righteousness is central to biblical teachings, highlighting the moral and ethical standards that lead to a fulfilling life.
Wealth is portrayed as a blessing when it comes from a righteous life, but it can also be a source of trouble when gained through wickedness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced the blessings of living righteously?
- How can I ensure that my income is gained through honest and ethical means?
- What does this verse teach me about the relationship between morality and prosperity?
- How can I apply the wisdom of this verse in my daily life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, illustrating how the house of the righteous, symbolizing the Church, withstands trials and remains strong.
The house of the righteous contains great treasure, etc. The house of Christ, that is, the Church, has great strength; so that rain, winds, and rivers of frequent temptations cannot demolish it.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 15 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 15:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn the house of the righteous [is] much treasure,.... God sometimes blesses the righteous with great riches, as he did Abraham; or, however, if they have but little, it is better than the riches of
Read John Gill on Proverbs 15 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryIn the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 15 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHouse, or family; whereby he implies that it is not only enjoyed by him, but also left to his posterity. In the revenues of the wicked is trouble: though he may obtain great revenues, yet they are attended with much trouble and vexation; either because they are strangely blasted and taken from them, or because they are imbittered to them by their own insatiable desires, or tormenting cares and fears, or the horrors of their guilty consciences, or by divers other ways.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 15 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous [is] much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.Ver. 6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure.] Every righteous man is a rich man, whether he hath more or less of the things of this life. For, first, he hath plenty of that which is precious. Secondly, Propriety; what he hath is his own; he holds all in capite tenure in Christ; he shall not be called to account as a usurper. "All is yours," "because you are Christ’ s, and Christ is God’ s." And although he hath little, many times, in present possession, yet he is rich in reversion; rich in bills and bonds, rich in an apparent pledge, that is worth all the world besides -…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 15 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) In the house of the righteous is much treasure.—For God’s blessing (Proverbs 3:33) is upon it; while the wicked, from his recklessness in the pursuit of gain, brings trouble (Proverbs 15:27) upon himself and his family.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 15 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible6. Treasure — Perhaps our word ability would more nearly express the original; great ability of means; great wealth.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 15 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous is abundant wealth, but the income of the wicked brings trouble.
Tyndale line
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
The house of the righteous hath much treasure: but in the reuenues of the wicked is trouble.
Strictly literal
In the house of a righteous [man] is much treasure; but in the revenue of a wicked [man] is disturbance.
[In] the house of the righteous [is] abundant strength, And in the increase of the wicked — trouble.
Abundant strength [is in] the house of the righteous, || And in the increase of the wicked—trouble.
In the house of the righteous there is much treasure; but in the income of the wicked is trouble.
In the house of the righteous person there is great treasure, but the earnings of the wicked person give him trouble.
From the Latin
The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.
Simplified
There's plenty of treasure where good people live, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble.
In the house of the upright man there is a great store of wealth; but in the profits of the sinner there is trouble.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text presents the verse as: בֵּ֣ית צַ֭דִּיק חֹ֣סֶן רָ֑ב וּבִתְבוּאַ֖ת רָשָׁ֣ע נֶעְכָּֽרֶת׃. The Septuagint matches 4 of the 7 words, while the Dead Sea Scrolls show partial restoration, indicating some agreement with the Masoretic Text but also highlighting areas where the text is damaged.
בֵּ֣ית צַ֭דִּיק חֹ֣סֶן רָ֑ב וּבִתְבוּאַ֖ת רָשָׁ֣ע נֶעְכָּֽרֶת׃
4 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[בית] [צדיק] חסן [רב] [ובתבואת] [רשע] [נעכרת]
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 15:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word בַּיִת (*bayith*) means 'house' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including dwelling, family, and place. It can refer to physical structures, such as homes and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like the body or household affairs. The word is built from the root related to 'between' and appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between
base
בַּ֫יִת 2034 n.m. house
house
place
receptacle
of house as containing a family
household, family (592 t.)
house, including household affairs
lit. housewards, hence metaph. inwards
מִבַּיִת
adv. on the inside
prep. within
base
H1004a בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between H1004b בַּ֫יִת house
1004 bayith bah'-yith
probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest
variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court,
daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as
would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold),
inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet,
temple, web, + within(-out).
see HEBREW for 01129
בֵּית (bet) — place.
nm
place, origin, between
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — house: home.
: home/temple/building
nm
1) house
1a) house, dwelling habitation
1b) shelter or abode of animals
1c) human bodies (fig.)
1d) of Sheol
1e) of abode of light and darkness
1f) of land of Ephraim
2) place
3) receptacle
4) home, house as containing a family
5) household, family
5a) those belonging to the same household
5b) family of descendants, descendants as organized body
6) household affairs
7) inwards (metaph.)
8) (TWOT) temple
adv
9) on the inside
prep
10) within
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(ashbea).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with ash.be.a (אַשְׁבֵּעַ "Ashbea" H0791)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth (Haggan).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with hag (גַּן "Haggan" H1588)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(togarmah).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
צַדִּיק (tsaddiyq) means just or righteous, covering various aspects such as lawful behavior, moral conduct, and being justified by God. It is derived from a related root and is used to describe individuals who are upright in character and actions.
צַדִּיק 206 adj. just, righteous
base
H6662 צַדִּיק just, righteous
6662 tsaddiyq tsad-deek'
from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).
see HEBREW for 06663
צַדִּיק (tsad.diq) — righteous.
1) just, lawful, righteous
1a) just, righteous (in government)
1b) just, right (in one's cause)
1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character)
1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)
1e) right, correct, lawful
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The Hebrew word חֹ֫סֶן (*chocen*) refers to wealth or treasure. It is derived from a related root and encompasses meanings like riches and strength. The entries consistently highlight its association with material abundance.
חֹ֫סֶן n.m. wealth, treasure
base
H2633 חֹ֫סֶן wealth, treasure
2633 chocen kho'-sen
from 2630; wealth:--riches, strength, treasure.
see HEBREW for 02630
חֹ֫סֶן (cho.sen) — wealth.
riches, treasure, wealth
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ See RICHES
רַב (rav) means much, many, or great, often used in contrast to מְעַט (me'at). It can describe abundance in quantity or rank and is also used as a noun for chief or captain. The word conveys a range of meanings from numerous to exceedingly, and it can function as both an adjective and a noun.
רַב 429 adj. much, many, great
(oft. opp. מְעַט)
much: of substances
esp. of collectives, numerous
pl. many
רַב as subst. coll. pers.
cstr. = abounding in
מִן comp. = more numerous than
רַב = abundant, enough
as adv. much, exceedingly
less oft. great
base
רַב 49 n.m. chief
base
H7227a רַב much, many, great . (oft. opp. מְעַט) . . much: of substances
. esp. of collectives, numerous
. pl. many
. רַב as subst. coll. pers.
. cstr. = abounding in
. + מִן comp. = more numerous than
. רַב = abundant, enough
. as adv. much, exceedingly
. less oft. great
H7227b רַב chief
7227 rab rab
by contracted from 7231; abundant (in quantity, size, age,
number, rank, quality):--(in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly),
captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man,
one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold,
things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very)
much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous,
populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).
see HEBREW for 07231
רַב (rav) — many.
adj
1) much, many, great
1a) much
1b) many
1c) abounding in
1d) more numerous than
1e) abundant, enough
1f) great
1g) strong
1h) greater than
adv
1i) much, exceedingly
רַב (rav) — chief.
captain, chief
Aramaic equivalent: rav.re.van (רַבְרְבָן "noble" H7261)
רַב (rav) — (Sidon) the Great.
Combined with tsi.don (צִידוֹן "Sidon" H6721H)
§ captain, chief
Adj — AdjHAamsa
תְּבוּאָה (tbuw'ah) refers to produce or revenue, typically from the earth, including crops and income. It can also figuratively denote gains, such as wisdom or the product of lips. The word is derived from a root meaning to bring forth, and its usage spans both literal and figurative contexts.
תְּבוּאָה n.f. proventus, product, revenue
product, yield, usually of earth
income, revenue, in general
fig. gain of wisdom
base
H8393 תְּבוּאָה proventus, product, revenue
8393 tbuw'ah teb-oo-aw'
from 935; income, i.e. produce (literally or
figuratively):--fruit, gain, increase, revenue.
see HEBREW for 0935
תְּבוּאָה (te.vu.ah) — produce.
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)
Conj | Prep | N-fs — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular constructHC/R/Ncfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
1) wicked, criminal
1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
1b) wicked (hostile to God)
1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Adj — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
עָכַר (akar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to stir up, disturb, or trouble. It is derived from a primitive root that suggests the action of roiling water. The word encompasses various forms, including Qal, which denotes the act of disturbing, and Niphal, indicating a state of being disturbed or experiencing calamity.
עָכַר vb. stir up, disturb, trouble
Qal disturb, trouble
Niph. my pain was stirred up
base
H5916 עָכַר stir up, disturb, trouble
5916 `akar aw-kar'
a primitive root; properly, to roil water; figuratively, to
disturb or affict:--trouble, stir.
עָכַר (a.khar) — to trouble.
1) to trouble, stir up, disturb, make (someone) taboo
1a) (Qal) to disturb, trouble
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be disturbed, be stirred up
1b2) disturbance, calamity (participle)
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) feminine singularHVNrfsa
→ BORROWING Mt 6:25-34; Mr 5:35,36; Joh 14:1; 16:6,7; Php 4:6; 1Pe 5:7
See AFFLICTION
See SUFFERING
→ INSTANCES OF
Israelites at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-12
About water Ex 15:23-25; 17:2,3; Nu 20:1-13
Food Ex 16:2,3; Nu 11:4-33
When Moses waited upon the mountain Ex 32:1