Proverbs 11:4

KJV

¶ Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

KJV (with Strong's)

Riches {H1952} profit {H3276} not in the day {H3117} of wrath {H5678}: but righteousness {H6666} delivereth {H5337} from death {H4194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the day of wrath, wealth doesn't help; but righteousness rescues from death.

Berean Standard Bible

Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

American Standard Version

Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 11:4 presents a profound and timeless truth, sharply contrasting the ultimate futility of material wealth with the enduring, life-saving power of righteousness in the face of divine judgment. It serves as a stark warning that earthly possessions offer no solace or security when confronted with the gravest challenges of life or the ultimate reckoning, while a life aligned with God's standards provides true deliverance and eternal security.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The book of Proverbs is a collection of divinely inspired wisdom sayings, predominantly expressed through pithy, memorable couplets. A dominant literary feature is **antithetical parallelism**, where two contrasting ideas are presented to highlight a profound truth, as perfectly exemplified in this verse. Proverbs 11, in particular, frequently juxtaposes the fate of the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing the blessings of integrity and the curses of deceit. This verse fits seamlessly into this broader pattern, serving as a foundational statement about true value and security, challenging the common human tendency to equate material prosperity with ultimate well-being or divine favor. It directly contributes to the book's overarching theme that wisdom, rooted in the fear of the Lord, leads to life, while folly leads to destruction, a concept woven throughout sections like [Proverbs 10-15](/proverbs/10 "Proverbs 10-15 - Contrasting the Righteous and the Wicked").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, wealth was often perceived as a tangible sign of divine blessing and a source of power and influence. Kings, nobles, and prosperous merchants accumulated riches, believing they offered security against famine, war, and social instability. However, the wisdom literature of Israel, particularly Proverbs, often subverts this conventional wisdom. While acknowledging the practical benefits of diligence and prosperity, it consistently elevates moral and spiritual character above material gain. The "day of wrath" (Hebrew: `yôwm ‘ebrâh`) would have resonated with the Israelite experience of national calamities, invasions, and divine judgments recorded in their history, such as those prophesied by the prophets (e.g., [Amos 5:18-20](/amos/5-18-20 "Amos 5:18-20 - The Day of the Lord") or [Zephaniah 1:14-18](/zephaniah/1-14-18 "Zephaniah 1:14-18 - The Great Day of the Lord")). It also carried an eschatological undertone, pointing to a final, ultimate day of reckoning.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive throughout Proverbs and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **the transience and futility of earthly riches** as a source of ultimate security. While wealth may provide comfort in this life, it offers no protection against divine judgment or the inevitability of death, a truth echoed in passages like [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool"). Secondly, it champions **the enduring and salvific power of righteousness**. Righteousness, defined as moral integrity and right standing before God, is presented as the true deliverer from the ultimate consequence of sin—death. This aligns with the consistent teaching in Proverbs that "the righteousness of the upright delivers them" ([Proverbs 11:6](/proverbs/11-6 "Proverbs 11:6 - Righteousness Delivers")). Finally, the verse speaks to the reality of **divine judgment and the promise of deliverance**. The "day of wrath" signifies a time of divine reckoning where human achievements and material possessions prove worthless. In contrast, righteousness offers a pathway to deliverance, not just from physical death, but from its spiritual and eternal implications, a theme also explored in [Proverbs 10:2](/proverbs/10-2 "Proverbs 10:2 - Righteousness Delivers from Death").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Riches (Hebrew, _hôwn'_):** This term (H1952) refers to wealth, substance, or possessions. Its root implies abundance or enough. In this context, it signifies accumulated material assets, which, despite their perceived value in daily life, are declared utterly ineffective when confronted with divine judgment. The verse highlights that this "wealth" cannot purchase favor, avert consequences, or bribe the divine judge.
* **Wrath (Hebrew, _ʻebrâh'_):** This word (H5678) denotes an outburst of passion, anger, or rage, particularly divine indignation. It describes a period or event where God's just and righteous anger against sin is manifested. This "day of wrath" is not merely human anger but a specific, decisive moment of divine reckoning, whether in temporal judgment or the ultimate eschatological judgment.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** This comprehensive term (H6666) encompasses rightness, rectitude, justice, and moral virtue. It describes a state of being in conformity with God's moral standards and acting justly in all relationships. It is not merely a collection of good deeds but an inherent moral character and a right standing before God. This righteousness is presented as the active agent of deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Riches profit not in the day of wrath":** This clause establishes a clear negative correlation. Material wealth (H1952, _hôwn_), no matter how vast or impressive, is utterly useless and provides no advantage or benefit (H3276, _yaʻal_) when faced with a time of intense divine judgment or severe calamity, referred to as "the day of wrath" (H3117, _yôwm_ H5678, _ʻebrâh_). It emphasizes the ephemeral and limited nature of earthly possessions in the face of ultimate spiritual and existential crises.
* **"but righteousness delivereth from death":** This clause presents a powerful contrast and a positive declaration. In direct opposition to the futility of riches, righteousness (H6666, _tsᵉdâqâh_)—a life lived in moral integrity and right relationship with God—is presented as the active agent of salvation. It "delivers" or "snatches away" (H5337, _nâtsal_) from the comprehensive reality of death (H4194, _mâveth_), encompassing not only physical death but also spiritual separation from God and eternal ruin.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Proverbs 11:4 is **Antithetical Parallelism**. This structure presents two contrasting lines, where the second line provides a sharp counterpoint to the first, thereby emphasizing the truth more powerfully. Here, the futility of "riches" is directly contrasted with the efficacy of "righteousness," and the negative outcome of "no profit in the day of wrath" is set against the positive outcome of "deliverance from death." This creates a clear, memorable, and impactful statement. Additionally, a subtle form of **Personification** can be observed, as "riches" are described as failing to "profit" and "righteousness" is depicted as actively "delivering," imbuing these abstract concepts with agency. The phrase "profit not" also carries an element of **Hyperbole**, underscoring the absolute uselessness of wealth in this specific context of ultimate judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 11:4 encapsulates a core biblical truth about the nature of true security and the character of God's justice. It underscores that God's ultimate judgment is impartial and cannot be swayed by human wealth or status; only a right standing before Him matters. This verse points to the eschatological "Day of the Lord," a recurring theme in prophetic literature, where all human endeavors and achievements will be weighed against divine standards. It highlights the profound difference between temporary, material security and eternal, spiritual security. The "deliverance from death" promised to the righteous is not merely an escape from physical demise, but a profound spiritual salvation from the ultimate consequences of sin, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of God's redemptive plan for humanity.

* [Luke 12:19-20](/luke/12-19-20 "Luke 12:19-20 - The Rich Fool's Misplaced Security")
* [Proverbs 10:2](/proverbs/10-2 "Proverbs 10:2 - Righteousness Delivers from Death")
* [Romans 2:5-6](/romans/2-5-6 "Romans 2:5-6 - God's Righteous Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 11:4 serves as a timeless call to re-evaluate our priorities and where we place our ultimate trust. In a world that often equates success and security with material accumulation, this verse powerfully reminds us that such a foundation is inherently unstable, especially when confronted with life's ultimate challenges, including our own mortality and the reality of divine judgment. It compels us to shift our focus from the fleeting to the eternal, from what we can gather to how we stand before God. True wisdom, therefore, lies not in amassing wealth for a "rainy day," but in cultivating a life of integrity, justice, and obedience to God, knowing that such a life is our only true and lasting safeguard against the "day of wrath" and the sting of "death." It encourages a lifestyle of generosity, humility, and spiritual investment over worldly pursuits, recognizing that our ultimate deliverance comes from a source far greater than any earthly treasure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "riches" in my life that I might be trusting in more than God, especially when facing difficult times or contemplating my mortality?**
* **How does my daily pursuit of "righteousness" (moral integrity, justice, and right relationship with God and others) compare to my pursuit of material gain?**
* **In what ways do I truly believe that righteousness, not wealth, can "deliver from death," both physically and spiritually?**
* **How might I practically re-prioritize my life to invest more in eternal values rather than temporary ones?**

### FAQ
**What does "the day of wrath" refer to?**

Answer: "The day of wrath" (Hebrew: `yôwm ‘ebrâh`) refers to a period or specific moment when God's righteous anger and judgment are manifested against sin. In the Old Testament, it could signify historical events of divine judgment upon nations or individuals (e.g., the destruction of Jerusalem, the exile). However, it also carries a strong eschatological meaning, pointing to a future, ultimate day of reckoning, often called "the Day of the Lord" in prophetic literature (e.g., [Joel 2:1-2](/joel/2-1-2 "Joel 2:1-2 - The Day of the Lord is Coming")). In the New Testament, this concept culminates in the final judgment of all humanity, where God's justice will be fully revealed (e.g., [Romans 2:5](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5 - God's Righteous Judgment")). It is a time when earthly power and wealth are utterly meaningless.

**Does this verse mean that all wealth is inherently bad?**

Answer: No, Proverbs 11:4 does not condemn wealth itself, nor does it imply that all wealthy people are unrighteous. The Bible acknowledges wealth as a potential blessing from God (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:18](/deuteronomy/8-18 "Deuteronomy 8:18 - God Gives Power to Get Wealth")). The verse's warning is against placing ultimate trust and security *in* riches, especially to the exclusion of righteousness. It highlights the *futility* of wealth as a means of salvation or protection from divine judgment. The issue is not the possession of wealth but the heart's attitude towards it and its inability to address spiritual realities or eternal consequences.

**How does "righteousness" deliver from "death"?**

Answer: Righteousness delivers from "death" in a comprehensive biblical sense. "Death" (Hebrew: `mâveth`) in Scripture is not limited to physical cessation but also encompasses spiritual separation from God and eternal ruin, the ultimate consequence of sin (e.g., [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")). A life of righteousness, characterized by moral integrity and a right relationship with God, positions an individual to receive God's favor and protection. In the Old Testament, this often meant temporal blessings and preservation. More profoundly, in the New Testament, true righteousness is understood as a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ (e.g., [Romans 3:21-22](/romans/3-21-22 "Romans 3:21-22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). This imputed righteousness delivers believers from the condemnation of sin and the power of eternal death, granting them spiritual life and eternal fellowship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 11:4 finds its most profound and complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The verse declares that "riches profit not in the day of wrath," a truth that resonates with Christ's own teachings on the fleeting nature of earthly treasures compared to heavenly ones (e.g., [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")). More critically, the verse states that "righteousness delivereth from death." Humanity, in its fallen state, possesses no inherent righteousness that could stand before God's "day of wrath" (as seen in [Romans 3:10](/romans/3-10 "Romans 3:10 - None is Righteous")). Jesus Christ, however, is the embodiment of perfect righteousness. He lived a life of absolute obedience to God's law, fulfilling all righteousness (e.g., [Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus' Baptism and Righteousness")). His sacrificial death on the cross was the ultimate act of righteousness, satisfying the demands of God's wrath against sin (e.g., [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Saved from Wrath Through Christ")). Through faith in Him, believers are not only forgiven but also imputed with His perfect righteousness, meaning Christ's righteousness is credited to their account (e.g., [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")). Thus, it is Christ's righteousness, not our own, that truly delivers us from the power of sin and eternal death, securing for us eternal life and peace with God (e.g., [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith")). He is the ultimate Deliverer, having conquered death itself (e.g., [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 10:2

¶ Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Zephaniah 1:18

Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

Genesis 7:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Ezekiel 7:19

They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Psalms 49:6

¶ They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

Psalms 49:8

(For the redemption of their soul [is] precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)