Proverbs 11:24

24 Some men part their own things, and be made richer; other men ravish things, that be not theirs, and they be ever in neediness. (Some people share their own things, and grow richer; other people steal things, that be not theirs, and still they always be in need.)

Images for Proverbs 11:24

Proverbs 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.

Proverbs 11:24 In-Context

22 A golden ring in the nostrils of a sow, (is like) a woman fair and fool. (A gold ring in the nostrils of a pig, is like a woman who is comely, but foolish.)
23 The desire of just men is all good; (but the) abiding of wicked men is strong vengeance. (The desire of the righteous is only for good; but the longing of the wicked is for strong vengeance.)
24 Some men part their own things, and be made richer; other men ravish things, that be not theirs, and they be ever in neediness. (Some people share their own things, and grow richer; other people steal things, that be not theirs, and still they always be in need.)
25 A soul that blesseth, shall be made fat; and he that filleth, shall be filled also. (A person who blesseth, or who shareth, shall be made prosperous; and he who filleth, shall also be filled.)
26 He that hideth wheat, shall be cursed among the peoples; but blessing shall come [up]on the head(s) of sellers. (He who hideth corn, shall be cursed by the people; but blessing, or praise, shall come to the sellers.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.