Proverbs 16:19

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

ט֣וֹב שְׁפַל־ר֭וּחַ אֶת־*עניים **עֲנָוִ֑ים מֵֽחַלֵּ֥ק שָׁ֝לָ֗ל אֶת־גֵּאִֽים׃

Transliteration

ṭôḇ šᵉpal-rûaḥ with-ʿănāwîm from-ḥallēq šālāl with-gēʾîm

Grammar Details

• *ṭôḇ*: adjective, masculine, singular - good/better
• *šᵉpal*: adjective, masculine, singular construct - low/humble
• *rûaḥ*: noun, feminine, singular - spirit
• *ʾet*: preposition - with
• *ʿănāwîm*: adjective, masculine, plural - humble/afflicted ones
• *min*: preposition - from/than
• *ḥallēq*: verb, Piel infinitive construct - dividing/sharing
• *šālāl*: noun, masculine, singular - spoil/plunder
• *gēʾîm*: adjective, masculine, plural - proud ones

Word Meanings

• *šᵉpal-rûaḥ*: lowly of spirit/humble in spirit
• *ʿănāwîm*: humble ones/poor ones/afflicted ones
• *ḥallēq šālāl*: dividing spoil/sharing plunder

Referenced Verses

• Isa 57:15 : 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
• Exod 15:9 : 9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
• Ps 34:18 : 18 Jehovah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit.
• Ps 138:6 : 6 For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar.
• Prov 29:23 : 23 A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.
• Isa 9:3 : 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
• Isa 10:6 : 6 I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
• Isa 10:13-15 : 13 For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I have understanding: and I have removed the bounds of the peoples, and have robbed their treasures, and like a valiant man I have brought down them that sit [on thrones]: 14 and my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the peoples; and as one gathereth eggs that are forsaken, have I gathered all the earth: and there was none that moved the wing, or that opened the mouth, or chirped. 15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? as if a rod should wield them that lift it up, [or] as if a staff should lift up [him that is] not wood.
• Isa 53:12 : 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
• Matt 5:3 : 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Luke 1:51-53 : 51 He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. 52 He hath put down princes from [their] thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree. 53 The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.
• Luke 18:13-14 : 13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote {G1519} his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner. 14 I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.