Proverbs 19:4 — Word Study
WLCה֗וֹן יֹ֭סִיף רֵעִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וְ֝דָ֗ל מֵרֵ֥עהוּ יִפָּרֵֽד׃
BSA◂Wealthhôwn [substance, riches, or valuable possessions] attractsyâçaph▸ [gathers, adds, or brings] manyrab [a large number, numerous] friendsrêaʻ [neighbors, companions, or acquaintances] ◂but a poor mandal [weak, needy, or destitute, individual, person] is desertedpârad▸ [separated, parted, or isolated] by his friendrêaʻ [neighbor, companion, or fellow]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| ה֗וֹן | wealth | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| יֹ֭סִיף | it adds | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| רֵעִ֣ים | friends | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| רַבִּ֑ים | many | Adj |
| וְ֝דָ֗ל | and a poor [person] | Conjunction |
| מֵרֵ֥עהוּ | from friend his | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| יִפָּרֵֽד׃ | he is separated | Verb, Niphal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. |
| KJV | Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. |
| ASV | Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend. |
| YLT | Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated. |
| WEB | Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend. |
| BBE | Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend. |
The translations agree on the core concepts of wealth attracting friends and poverty leading to isolation.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a contrasting subordinate clause, highlighting the differences between wealth and poverty.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectהוֹן
verbיָסַף
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 19:4
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 — The Contrast of Wealth and Povertygenerated
Proverbs 19:4 illustrates the relationship between wealth and friendships, noting that while riches can draw many companions, a poor individual may find himself abandoned. This theme resonates throughout Proverbs, emphasizing the transient nature of human relationships based on material status. The surrounding verses further explore folly, punishment for falsehood, and the nature of favor, providing a broader context for understanding the dynamics of social interactions influenced by wealth.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 19:6–7 | Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver. |
| 2 | Proverbs 14:20 | The poor man is hated even by his neighbor, but many are those who love the rich. |
| 3 | Luke 15:13–15 | After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. |
| 4 | Proverbs 10:15 | The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. |
| 5 | Job 6:15–23 | But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הוֹן, Hongenerated
The word הוֹן (Hon) refers to wealth or substance, implying high value or sufficiency. It is often found in poetic contexts, particularly in Wisdom Literature like Proverbs, where it highlights the significance of material possessions in social relationships.
This noun is masculine singular and appears frequently, underscoring its importance in discussions about prosperity and its effects on human connections. The term conveys a sense of abundance and is derived from a root that emphasizes wealth and value.
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.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יֹ֭סִיף (Yo.sif), meaning 'it adds', governs the structure of the verse. It connects the subject הוֹן (Hon) to the object רֵעִים (re.'Im), forming a clear relationship between wealth and friendship.
The second part of the verse contrasts with the subject דָ֗ל (Dal), indicating a poor man, and the verb יִפָּרֵֽד (yi.pa.Red), meaning 'he is separated', emphasizing the isolation that often accompanies poverty.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, הוֹן is rendered as πλοῦτος (ploutos), which means 'wealth' and carries a similar connotation of abundance. This choice highlights the value placed on material riches in both the Hebrew and Greek traditions.
The translation of רֵעִים as φίλους (philos) reinforces the idea of friendship, suggesting that the concept of companionship remains consistent across the translations.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 19:4 tells us that wealth can attract many friends, while a poor man often finds himself alone. The verse contrasts the social dynamics of those with riches against those who are in need, emphasizing how material possessions can influence relationships.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The verse suggests that friendships can be influenced by wealth, as many may seek to befriend someone who is prosperous.
It indicates that a poor person may be abandoned by friends, highlighting the fragility of relationships based on material wealth.
Wealth is portrayed as a magnet for social connections, suggesting that material abundance can enhance one's social standing.
The surrounding verses discuss folly and the consequences of falsehood, adding depth to the understanding of how wealth and behavior influence relationships.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen wealth influence relationships in my own life?
- How can I ensure that my friendships are based on more than just material wealth?
- What are some practical ways to support those who are less fortunate?
- How does this verse challenge my understanding of true friendship?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reflect on this verse, discussing the nature of wealth and its impact on friendship, as seen in the writings of Evagrius Ponticus and Bede.
“Richness” of knowledge and wisdom “brings us many angels,” but an impure person is even separated from the angel given to him at birth.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 19 →
Riches add many friends, etc. The riches of the kingdom of heaven, which are preached to be given to the faithful by the holy doctors, gain many friends both for the preachers themselves and for the Lord, their Giver.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 19 →
He who only follows words will have nothing, etc. And the Apostle says: For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law will be justified (Rom. II).Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 19 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 19:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWealth maketh many friends,.... Or "adds" (f); it increases the number of them: so the poet (g), "donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos"; and to this agrees what the wise man says, Proverbs
Read John Gill on Proverbs 19 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 19 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIs disowned and forsaken by those who are most obliged to help him.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 19 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 19:4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.Ver. 4. Wealth maketh many friends.] Res amicos invenit, saith he in Plautus. Wine, saith Athenaeus, hath ελκοστικοντιπροςφιλιαν, a force in it to make friendship. Wealth we are sure hath; but as that is no sound love that comes out of cups - it is but ollaris amicitia; friendship of the cup, so neither are they to be trusted that wealth wins to us. Hired friends are seldom either satisfied or sure, but, like the ravens in Arabia, that, full gorged, have a tunable, sweet record, but empty, screech horribly. Flies soon fasten upon honey, and vermin will haunt a house where food is to be gotten. But the…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 19 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) The poor is separated from his neighbour.—Or, but the feeble, his friend separates himself (from him). It was just in order to counteract these selfish instincts of mankind that the merciful provisions of such passages as Deuteronomy 15:7. sqq., and Luke 14:13, were laid upon God’s people.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 19 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. The poor is separated from his neighbour.] Because he has the "disease of all-shunned poverty."
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 19 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. maketh] Rather, addeth; προστίθησι, LXX.; addunt (divitiζ), Vulg.; the contrast being between the new friends gained by wealth, and the existing friend (R.V.) lost by poverty, ὁδὲπτωχὸςκαὶἀπὸτοῦὑπάρχοντοςφίλουλείπεται, LXX.; A paupere autem et hi, quos habuit, separantur, Vulg.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 19 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible4. Wealth — Literally, ease or competence. Maketh many friends — At least such as are professedly so. The poor man is neglected by those who ought to be his friends. Compare Proverbs 14:20, and Proverbs 19:6-7.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 19 →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
Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friend.
Tyndale line
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.
Wealth addeth many friends: but the poor is separated from his friend.
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.
Riches gather many friends: but the poore is separated from his neighbour.
Strictly literal
Wealth addeth many friends; but the poor is separated from his friend.
Wealth addeth many friends, And the poor from his neighbour is separated.
Wealth adds many friends, || And the poor is separated from his neighbor.
Wealth bringeth many friends; but the poor becometh separated from his [only] friend.
Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friends.
From the Latin
Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart.
Simplified
If you're rich, you get a lot of friends, but if you're poor, you lose any friends you had.
Wealth makes a great number of friends; but the poor man is parted from his friend.
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 and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording, with six of the seven Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. This alignment indicates a shared understanding of the verse's meaning across these ancient texts.
ה֗וֹן יֹ֭סִיף רֵעִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וְ֝דָ֗ל מֵרֵ֥עהוּ יִפָּרֵֽד׃
6 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.
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 19:4
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.
הוֹן (hown) refers to wealth, riches, or substance, and can also imply sufficiency or enough. It is primarily found in poetic contexts, particularly in Wisdom Literature like Proverbs. The term is derived from a related root that conveys the idea of wealth and value.
הוֹן n.m. wealth, sufficiency (poet., almost wholly WisdLt, especially Pr)
base
H1952 הוֹן wealth, sufficiency (poet., almost wholly WisdLt, especially Pr)
1952 hown hone
from the same as 1951 in the sense of 202; wealth; by
implication, enough:--enough, + for nought, riches, substance,
wealth.
see HEBREW for 01951
see HEBREW for 0202
הוֹן (hon) — substance.
1) wealth, riches, substance
1a) wealth
1b) price, high value
interj
2) enough!, sufficiency
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ See RICHES
יָסַף (yacaph) is a Hebrew verb meaning to add or increase. It can denote actions like joining oneself to something or continuing to do a task. The entries indicate its use in various forms, including Qal, Niphal, and Hiphil, with nuances of doing something again or augmenting an amount.
יָסַף 214 vb. add
Qal add
Niph.
join (intr.), join oneself to
be joined, added to
Hiph.
add
sq. inf. add to do = do again or more
sq. Impf.
sq. Impf. asynd.
base
H3254 יָסַף add . add
. . join (intr.), join oneself to
. be joined, added to
. . add
. . sq. inf. add to do = do again or more
. sq. Impf.
. sq. Impf. asynd.
3254 yacaph yaw-saf'
a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to
continue to do a thing):--add, X again, X any more, X cease, X
come more, + conceive again, continue, exceed, X further, X
gather together, get more, give more-over, X henceforth,
increase (more and more), join, X longer (bring, do, make,
much, put), X (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed
(further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, X yet, yield.
יָסַף (ya.saph) — to add: again.
: again/continue/more[instances]
1) to add, increase, do again
1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to join, join oneself to
1b2) to be joined, be added to
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to add, increase
1c2) to do more, do again
יָסַף (ya.saph) — to add.
: add/more[amount]
1) to add, increase, do again
1a) (Qal) to add, increase, do again
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to join, join oneself to
1b2) to be joined, be added to
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to add, increase
1c2) to do more, do again
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms
רֵעַ (rea`) refers to a friend, companion, or fellow, emphasizing close associations such as brotherhood or intimacy. It can also denote a neighbor or another person in a broader sense. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to associate.'
רֵעַ 187 n.m. friend, companion, fellow
base
H7453 רֵעַ friend, companion, fellow
7453 rea` ray'-ah
or reya2 {ray'-ah}; from 7462; an associate (more or less
close):--brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover,
neighbour, X (an-)other.
see HEBREW for 0reya2
see HEBREW for 07462
רֵעַ (re.a) — neighbor.
1) friend, companion, fellow, another person
1a) friend, intimate
1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense)
1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
→ Jesus calls his disciples by this term Joh 15:14,15
→ FALSE FRIENDS
Instances of
Pharaoh's butler was false to Joseph Ge 40:23
Delilah was false to Samson Jud 16:1-20
The Ephraimite's wife Jud 19:1,2
David was false to Joab 1Ki 2:5,6
David was false to Uriah 2Sa 11
Ahithophel was false to David 2Sa 15:12
David's friends were false to David Ps 35:11-16; 41:9; 55:12-14,20,21; 88:8,18
Judas Iscariot Mt 26:48,49
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 — AdjHAampa
MANY, adjective men'ny.
1. Numerous; comprising a great number of individuals.
Thou shalt be a father of many nations. Genesis 17:4.
Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 1 Corinthians 1:26.
MANY are the afflictions of the righteous. Psalms 34:12.
It is often preceded by as or so, and followed by so, indicating an equal number.
As many books as you take, so many shall be charged to your account.
So many laws argue so many sins.
It is followed by as.
As many as were willing-hearted brought bracelets. Exodus 34:1.
It precedes an or a, before a noun in the singular number.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene.
2. In low language, preceded by too, it denotes powerful or much; as, they are too many for us.
MANY, noun men'ny. A multitude; a great number of individuals; the people.
O thou fond many
The vulgar and the many are fit only to be led or driven.
The Hebrew word דַּל (dal) is built from the root meaning 'dangling' or 'weak.' It covers a range of meanings including low, weak, poor, and thin, and is particularly noted in wisdom literature and poetry. The entries consistently emphasize its connotations of neediness and weakness.
דַּל adj. low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)
base
H1800 דַּל low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)
1800 dal dal
from 1809; properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or
thin:--lean, needy, poor (man), weaker.
see HEBREW for 01809
דַּל (dal) — poor.
low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low
Conj | Adj — ConjunctionHC/Aamsa
רֵעַ (rea`) refers to a friend, companion, or fellow, emphasizing close associations such as brotherhood or intimacy. It can also denote a neighbor or another person in a broader sense. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to associate.'
רֵעַ 187 n.m. friend, companion, fellow
base
H7453 רֵעַ friend, companion, fellow
7453 rea` ray'-ah
or reya2 {ray'-ah}; from 7462; an associate (more or less
close):--brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover,
neighbour, X (an-)other.
see HEBREW for 0reya2
see HEBREW for 07462
רֵעַ (re.a) — neighbor.
1) friend, companion, fellow, another person
1a) friend, intimate
1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense)
1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
פָּרַד (parad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to divide or separate. It encompasses various forms, including making a separation and being divided. The entries detail its use in different grammatical aspects, such as Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating a range of meanings from dividing to being separated.
[פָּרַד] vb. divide
Qal Pt. pass. divided
Niph.
divide, separate (intrans.)
be divided, separated
Pi. make a separation
Pu. Pt. divided
Hiph.
divide, separate
make a division, separation, between
Hithp. be divided, separated, from each other
base
H6504 פָּרַד divide .Pt. pass. divided
. . divide, separate (intrans.)
. be divided, separated
. make a separation
. Pt. divided
. . divide, separate
. make a division, separation, between
. be divided, separated, from each other
6504 parad paw-rad'
a primitive root; to break through, i.e. spread or separate
(oneself):--disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter
(abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder.
פָּרַד (pa.rad) — to separate.
1) to separate, divide
1a) (Qal) to divide
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to divide, separate
1b2) to be divided, be separated
1c) (Piel) to be separated
1d) (Pual) to be divided
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to divide, separate
1e2) to make a division, make a separation
1f) (Hithpael) to be divided, be separated, get separated
Aramaic equivalent: be.dar (בְּדַר "to scatter" H0921)
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVNi3ms