King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The rich man may have to ransom his life, but a poor man gets no threats.
Berean Standard Bible:
Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.
American Standard Version:
The ransom of a man’s life is his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The ransom{H3724} of a man's{H376} life{H5315} are his riches{H6239}: but the poor{H7326} heareth{H8085} not rebuke{H1606}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 16:26
- For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
1 Peter 1:18
- Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;
1 Peter 1:19
- But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Psalms 49:6
- ¶ They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
Psalms 49:10
- For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Job 2:4
- And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
Jeremiah 39:10
- But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 13:8
Proverbs 13:8 is a verse from the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, which reflects the practical and moral insights of ancient Israelite society. The verse presents a contrast between the experiences of the wealthy and the poor in relation to their social standing and the consequences of their actions.
The first part of the verse, "The ransom of a man's life [are] his riches," suggests that wealth can serve as a form of protection or security for an individual. In the historical context, this could mean that a wealthy person might use their resources to bribe their way out of trouble, pay for legal defense, or even buy their freedom if captured or in debt. The concept of a "ransom" implies a payment made to secure release from captivity or to avert punishment, indicating that money can be a powerful tool for self-preservation and avoiding negative outcomes.
The second part of the verse, "but the poor heareth not rebuke," highlights the vulnerability of the impoverished. It implies that the poor lack the means to escape the consequences of their actions or societal judgment. Without wealth, they cannot offer a ransom or bribe, and thus they are more exposed to punishment and less likely to receive leniency or a second chance. Additionally, this part of the verse may also suggest that the poor are often ignored or marginalized, and their lack of resources means they have fewer opportunities to learn from their mistakes or improve their situation through education or social mobility.
Overall, Proverbs 13:8 reflects on the disparity between the rich and the poor, emphasizing that wealth can provide a level of insulation from life's harsh realities, while poverty leaves individuals more susceptible to them. The verse underscores the themes of economic inequality and social justice, which are relevant both in the historical context of ancient Israel and in broader discussions about socioeconomic dynamics across different cultures and eras.
*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: H3724
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּפֶר
Transliteration: kôpher
Pronunciation: ko'-fer
Description: from כָּפַר; properly, a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as used for coating), and the henna plant (as used for dyeing); figuratively, a redemption-price; bribe, camphire, pitch, ransom, satisfaction, sum of money, village. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H5315
There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
Transliteration: nephesh
Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. - Strong's Number: H6239
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֹשֶׁר
Transliteration: ʻôsher
Pronunciation: o'-sher
Description: from עָשַׁר; wealth; [idiom] far (richer), riches. - Strong's Number: H7326
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רוּשׁ
Transliteration: rûwsh
Pronunciation: roosh
Description: a primitive root; to be destitute; lack, needy, (make self) poor (man). - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H1606
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּעָרָה
Transliteration: gᵉʻârâh
Pronunciation: gheh-aw-raw'
Description: from גָּעַר; a chiding; rebuke(-ing), reproof.