Proverbs 13:23

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

רָב־אֹ֖כֶל נִ֣יר רָאשִׁ֑ים וְיֵ֥שׁ נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה בְּלֹ֣א מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

Transliteration

rāb-ʾōkel nîr rāʾšîm wə-yēš nispê bəlōʾ mišpāṭ

Grammar Details

• *rāb*: adjective, masculine singular - much/abundance of
• *ʾōkel*: noun, masculine singular - food
• *nîr*: noun, masculine singular construct - newly plowed field of
• *rāʾšîm*: noun, masculine plural - poor/heads
• *wə-*: conjunction - but
• *yēš*: particle of existence - there is
• *nispê*: verb, niphal participle, masculine singular - swept away/destroyed
• *bəlōʾ*: preposition + negative particle - without
• *mišpāṭ*: noun, masculine singular - justice/judgment

Word Meanings

• *rāb*: much/abundance/plenty
• *ʾōkel*: food/nourishment
• *nîr*: newly plowed field/tillage
• *rāʾšîm*: poor/heads/poor men
• *nispê*: swept away/destroyed/perishing
• *mišpāṭ*: justice/judgment/fairness

Referenced Verses

• Prov 12:11 : 11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
• Prov 28:19 : 19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
• Eccl 5:9 : 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
• Eccl 8:5-6 : 5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. 6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
• Jer 8:7-9 : 7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. 8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. 9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? 10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
• Prov 27:18 : 18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
• Prov 27:23-27 : 23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. 24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. 26 The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. 27 And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.
• Prov 12:14 : 14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
• Ps 112:5 : 5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
• Prov 6:6-9 : 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
• Prov 11:5-6 : 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.