Mishle 11:24

24 There is that which scattereth, and yet increaseth more; and there is that which withholdeth more than is yosher, but it leadeth to machsor (want, need, poverty).

Mishle 11:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:24

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth
That scattereth "his own", as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions add: that disperses his money here and there, among many poor objects, plentifully and liberally; and his substance is so far from being lessened by such a conduct, that, by the blessing of God, it is increased more and more; or "become richer", as the Vulgate Latin; see ( Psalms 112:9 ) . So he that disperses and dispenses the word of God, and spreads the truths of the Gospel, and freely and fully preaches them, increases himself in spiritual knowledge and understanding; and [there is] that withholdeth more than is meet;
or, "right" or "just" F1, by the, laws of God and men; from himself, from his family, from his friends and relations, and from the poor of the church and of the world; and from the cause and interest of Christ, and what is necessary to support that, according to his ability; but [it tendeth] to poverty,
or "want" F2: such a man is often brought to beggary; there is a moth and rottenness sent into his substance, which secretly consume it: so he that withholds any truth or doctrine, that keeps back anything that may be profitable to the saints; this tends to the impoverishing: of his soul, and the souls of them that attend on his ministry.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (rvym) "plus aequo", Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "plus quam aequum est", Cocceius; "prae quam rectum est, seu plus aequo", Michaelis.
F2 (rwoxml) "ad egestatem". Junius & Tremellius, Picator; "ad penuriam", Cocceius; "ad rasam egestatem", Schultens.

Mishle 11:24 In-Context

22 As a ring of zahav in the snout of a chazir, so is an isha yafah which is without ta’am (judgment, discretion).
23 The ta’avat tzaddikim is only tov, but the tikveh of the resha’im is wrath.
24 There is that which scattereth, and yet increaseth more; and there is that which withholdeth more than is yosher, but it leadeth to machsor (want, need, poverty).
25 The nefesh brocha (generous person) shall be made to prosper, and he that watereth shall be refreshed also himself.
26 He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him, but brocha shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.