Proverbs 1:13

We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

We shall find {H4672} all precious {H3368} substance {H1952}, we shall fill {H4390} our houses {H1004} with spoil {H7998}:

we'll find everything he has of value, we'll fill our homes with loot!

We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder.

We shall find all precious substance; We shall fill our houses with spoil;

Commentary on Proverbs 1:13 (KJV)

Proverbs 1:13 is part of a father's urgent warning to his son against the allure of evil companions. It quotes the enticing, yet deceptive, promises of those who seek to gain wealth through violence and robbery.

Context

This verse is found within the opening chapter of Proverbs, which introduces the book's purpose: to impart wisdom and instruction. From Proverbs 1:8 onward, the father cautions his son against "the way of evil men." Verses 11-14 portray the persuasive words of these sinners, tempting the son with the prospect of easy wealth acquired through violent means. They promise, "We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil." The immediate follow-up in Proverbs 1:15-19 reveals the tragic end of those who pursue such a path, emphasizing that their schemes ultimately lead to their own destruction.

Key Themes

  • The Lure of Illicit Gain: The verse highlights the powerful temptation of acquiring wealth quickly and effortlessly, without honest labor. The promise of "all precious substance" and houses filled with "spoil" appeals directly to covetous desires, offering material abundance as bait.
  • Deceptive Prosperity: The "prosperity" offered by evil ways is a dangerous illusion. While immediate gains might seem appealing, the Bible consistently warns that such wealth comes at a much greater cost, often leading to ruin, legal consequences, and spiritual death.
  • Consequences of Sin: Although this specific verse presents the temptation, the broader context of Proverbs 1 underscores the inevitable and destructive consequences for those who yield to such enticements. Their greed ultimately consumes them, proving that ill-gotten gains bring no lasting security or peace.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "precious substance" translates the Hebrew hon yakar (הוֹן יָקָר), signifying valuable or costly wealth. It emphasizes the perceived high value of the plunder, making the temptation seem even more irresistible.
  • "Spoil" comes from the Hebrew shalal (שָׁלָל), which refers to booty, plunder, or goods taken by force, often in a military context, but here applied to criminal activity. It highlights the ill-gotten and violent nature of the promised riches.

Practical Application

Proverbs 1:13 serves as a timeless warning against succumbing to the temptation of easy money or dishonest gain. In contemporary terms, this might involve schemes that promise quick riches, unethical business practices, or any activity that prioritizes material accumulation over integrity and righteousness. The verse reminds us to discern the true source of prosperity and to understand that wealth gained dishonestly often diminishes, while godly wisdom and integrity are true riches. It calls believers to resist peer pressure that leads to compromise and to instead seek lasting spiritual wealth that comes from walking in the path of righteousness.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Timothy 6:9

    But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Luke 12:15

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

  • Job 24:2

    [Some] remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed [thereof].

  • Job 24:3

    They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

  • Revelation 18:9

    ¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

  • Revelation 18:16

    And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

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