Proverbs 16:19

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, 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 ones.
• Exod 15:9 : 9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
• Ps 34:18 : 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
• Ps 138:6 : 6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
• Prov 29:23 : 23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
• Isa 9:3 : 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
• Isa 10:6 : 6 I will send him against an hypocritical 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 saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: 14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. 15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no 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 hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and 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 shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
• Luke 18:13-14 : 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.