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Proverbs Chapter 19

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry 29 Verses

What is Proverbs 19 about?

Practical wisdom for daily life, family, work, and worship, all rooted in the fear of the LORD. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good; And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.
4Wealth addeth many friends; But the poor is separated from his friend.
5A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape.
6Many will entreat the favor of the liberal man; And every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: How much more do his friends go far from him! He pursueth [them with] words, [but] they are gone.
8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall perish.
10Delicate living is not seemly for a fool; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger; And it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12The king`s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; But his favor is as dew upon the grass.
13A foolish son is the calamity of his father; And the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14House and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.
15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; And the idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; [But] he that is careless of his ways shall die.
17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again.
18Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; nd set not thy heart on his destruction.
19A man of great wrath shall bear the penalty; For if thou deliver [him], thou must do it yet again.
20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21There are many devices in a man`s heart; But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.
22That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness; And a poor man is better than a liar.
23The fear of Jehovah [tendeth] to life; And he [that hath it] shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil.
24The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; And reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge.
26He that doeth violence to his father, and chaseth away his mother, Is a son that causeth shame and bringeth reproach.
27Cease, my son, to hear instruction [Only] to err from the words of knowledge.
28A worthless witness mocketh at justice; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.
29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And stripes for the back of fools.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, etc.] In the uprightness of his heart before God and men; who is sincere in the worship of God, and in the profession of his name, and walks in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless; and is upright, harmless, and inoffensive in his conversation with men; and studies to exercise a conscience void of offence to both, and continues herein. A man may be a poor man with respect to worldly things, and yet be rich towards God; may be a truly gracious good man, honest, sincere, and upright in heart and life: and such an one is better than [he that]…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“(Pro. 19:1-29) (Compare Pro 28:6). "Rich" for fool here. Integrity is better than riches (Pro 15:16-17; Pro 16:8).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“The “perverse” man is the rich fool, as contrasted with the poor man who is upright. Proverbs 19:1-2 are missing in the Septuagint. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“Hasteth - That rashly and headily rushes into actions. Proverbs 19:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“19:1 It is better to be . . . honest, though poor, because wealth gained by dishonest means is short-lived (10:2) and will not preserve one from harm (11:4; see also 15:16-17; 16:8, 16; 17:1; 22:1; 28:6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Better: Pro 19:22, Pro 12:26, Pro 15:16, Pro 16:8, Pro 28:6; Psa 37:26; Mat 16:26; Jam 2:5, Jam 2:6 perverse: Sa1 25:17, Sa1 25:25; Isa 59:3; Mat 12:31-34 Proverbs 19:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“The plur. רעים, Pro 18:24, is emphatic and equivalent to רעים רבּים. The group Pro 19:1-4 closes with a proverb which contains this catchword. The first proverb of the group comes by שׂפתיו into contact with Pro 18:20, the first proverb of the preceding group. 1 Better a poor man walking in his innocence, Than one with perverse lips, and so a fool. The contrast, Pro 28:6, is much clearer. But to correct this proverb in conformity with that, as Hitzig does, is unwarrantable. The Syr., indeed, translates here as there; but the Chald. assimilates this translation to the Heb. text, which Theodotion, and after him the…”
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