King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool [shall be] servant to the wise of heart.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Those who trouble their families inherit the wind, and the fool becomes slave to the wise.
Berean Standard Bible:
He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
American Standard Version:
He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He that troubleth{H5916} his own house{H1004} shall inherit{H5157} the wind{H7307}: and the fool{H191} shall be servant{H5650} to the wise{H2450} of heart{H3820}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ecclesiastes 5:16
- And this also [is] a sore evil, [that] in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
Proverbs 14:19
- ¶ The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Habakkuk 2:9
- Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!
Habakkuk 2:10
- Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned [against] thy soul.
Proverbs 15:27
- ¶ He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Hosea 8:7
- For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
1 Samuel 25:3
- Now the name of the man [was] Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and [she was] a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man [was] churlish and evil in his doings; and he [was] of the house of Caleb.
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Commentary for Proverbs 11:29
Proverbs 11:29 is a verse that succinctly captures the wisdom of the consequences of one's actions within the domestic sphere and the broader social hierarchy. The historical context of this proverb is set within the ancient Near Eastern culture, where the integrity and stability of the household were paramount. The verse reflects the societal expectations and the moral order of the time, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony within one's family and the repercussions of failing to do so.
The first part of the verse, "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind," speaks to the individual who sows discord within their own family. The phrase "inherit the wind" suggests that such a person will gain nothing of substance or permanence from their destructive behavior; instead of a tangible legacy, they will be left with emptiness. This metaphor conveys the futility of causing familial strife and the transient nature of the troublemaker's gains.
The second part, "and the fool [shall be] servant to the wise of heart," introduces a social dynamic where wisdom and folly are juxtaposed. It implies that those who lack understanding or insight (the fools) will ultimately serve or be subject to those who possess wisdom and prudence (the wise of heart). This hierarchy reflects a broader theme in Proverbs, which often contrasts the outcomes for the wise and the foolish. The verse suggests that wisdom confers authority and that the natural order positions the discerning above the imprudent.
In summary, Proverbs 11:29 emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace within one's household and the value of wisdom in securing a respected position in society. It serves as a warning against causing domestic turmoil and as an affirmation that wisdom is a reliable guide to social standing and success. The verse encapsulates timeless principles that transcend its historical context, offering insight into the enduring nature of wisdom and the consequences of folly.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5916
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָכַר
Transliteration: ʻâkar
Pronunciation: aw-kar'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to roil water; figuratively, to disturb or affict; trouble, stir. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H5157
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָחַל
Transliteration: nâchal
Pronunciation: naw-khal'
Description: a primitive root; to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate; divide, have (inheritance), take as a heritage, (cause to, give to, make to) inherit, (distribute for, divide (for, for an, by), give for, have, leave for, take (for)) inheritance, (have in, cause to, be made to) possess(-ion). - Strong's Number: H7307
There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רוּחַ
Transliteration: rûwach
Pronunciation: roo'-akh
Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). - Strong's Number: H191
There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱוִיל
Transliteration: ʼĕvîyl
Pronunciation: ev-eel'
Description: from an unused root (meaning to be perverse); (figuratively) silly; fool(-ish) (man). - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H2450
There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָכָם
Transliteration: châkâm
Pronunciation: khaw-kawm'
Description: from חָכַם; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful); cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man). - Strong's Number: H3820
There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵב
Transliteration: lêb
Pronunciation: labe
Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.