Proverbs 28:11

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

חָכָ֣ם בְּ֭עֵינָיו אִ֣ישׁ עָשִׁ֑יר וְדַ֖ל מֵבִ֣ין יַחְקְרֶֽנּוּ׃

Transliteration

ḥāḵām bə'ênāyw 'îš 'āšîr wədal mēḇîn yaḥqərennû

Grammar Details

• *ḥāḵām*: adjective, masculine singular - wise
• *bə'ênāyw*: preposition + noun, feminine dual + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - in his own eyes
• *'îš*: noun, masculine singular - man
• *'āšîr*: adjective, masculine singular - rich
• *wədal*: conjunction + adjective, masculine singular - but a poor man
• *mēḇîn*: Hiphil participle, masculine singular - understanding/discerning
• *yaḥqərennû*: Qal imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - searches him out

Word Meanings

• *ḥāḵām*: wise/skilful
• *bə'ênāyw*: in his own eyes/in his own sight
• *'îš*: man/person
• *'āšîr*: rich/wealthy
• *dal*: poor/low/weak
• *mēḇîn*: understanding/discerning/having insight
• *yaḥqərennû*: searches him out/examines him/investigates him

Referenced Verses

• Prov 26:16 : 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
• Eccl 9:15-17 : 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
• Rom 12:16 : 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.
• 1 Cor 3:18-19 : 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:
• 1 Tim 6:17 : 17 Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on {G2198} God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
• Isa 5:21 : 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
• Isa 10:13-14 : 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.
• Ezek 28:3-5 : 3 behold, you are wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that is hidden from you; 4 by your wisdom and by your understanding you have gotten you riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures; 5 by your great wisdom [and] by your traffic have you increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches;—
• Luke 16:13-14 : 13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot {G3756} serve God and mammon. 14 And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things; and they scoffed at him.
• Rom 11:25 : 25 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest {G3361} ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;
• Job 32:9 : 9 It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice.
• Prov 18:11 : 11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
• Prov 18:17 : 17 He that pleadeth his cause first [seemeth] just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
• Prov 19:1 : 1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
• Prov 23:4 : 4 Weary not thyself to be rich; Cease from thine own wisdom.
• Prov 26:5 : 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.