TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Berean Standard Bible
A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.
American Standard Version
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul; But the belly of the wicked shall want.
World English Bible Messianic
The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
Geneva Bible (1599)
The righteous eateth to the contentation of his minde: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Young's Literal Translation
The righteous is eating to the satiety of his soul, And the belly of the wicked lacketh!
See also
In the KJVVerse 16,773 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Proverbs 13 verse 25
25 ¶ The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Note, 1. It is the happiness of the righteous that they shall have enough and that they know when they have enough. They desire not to be surfeited, but, being moderate in their desires, they are soon satisfied. nature is content with a little and grace with less; enough is as good as a feast. Those that feed on the bread of life, that feast on the promises, meet with abundant satisfaction of soul there, eat, and are filled. 2. It is the misery of the wicked that, through the insatiableness of their own desires, they are always needy; not only their souls shall not be satisfied with the world and the flesh, but even their belly shall want; their sensual appetite is always craving. In hell they shall be denied a drop of water.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verse 25. Public domain.
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Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Instructor Book 2
We have been created, not to eat and drink but to come to the knowledge of God. “The just man,” Scripture says, “eats and fills his soul; but the belly of the wicked is ever in want,” ever hungry with a greed that cannot be quenched.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
AGAINST CELSUS 7:24
We must consider the food promised in the law as the food of the soul, which is to satisfy not both parts of a person’s nature but the soul only. And the words of the gospel, although probably containing a deeper meaning, may yet be taken in their more simple and obvious sense, as teaching us not to be disturbed with anxieties about our food and clothing, but, while living in plainness, and desiring only what is needful, to put our trust in the providence of God.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 16:5.4
If you take [this verse] according to the literal sense that “when the just person eats he will fill his soul but the souls of the impious will be in poverty,” it will appear false. For the souls of the impious take food with eagerness and strive after “satiety,” but the just meanwhile are hungry. Finally, Paul was just, and he said, “Up to this hour we are hungry, and thirsty, and naked, and we are beaten with fists.” And again he says, “In hunger and thirst, in many fastings.” And how does Solomon say, “when the just eats he will satisfy his soul”? But if you consider how “the just person” always and “without interruption” eats from “the living bread” and fills his soul and satisfies it with heavenly food which is the Word of God and his wisdom, you will find how the just person “eats his bread in abundance” from the blessing of God.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Proverbs
But the righteous eats and fills his soul, etc. The righteous receive the foods of wisdom, which are found to have sprung in the fresh fields of the fathers, that is, in the works and words of preceding just men, and they transfer these to the profit of their soul by living well. The belly of the wicked, that is, the capacity of the sense of heretics, is insatiable; for, as the Apostle says, Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (II Tim. III). Why, indeed, they do not deserve to be filled with knowledge, unless it is because, not being replenished with the foods of paternal instruction, they gather these for others without judgment?
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Proverbs 13:25 delivers a profound and concise contrast between the ultimate states of the righteous and the wicked, asserting that true and lasting satisfaction is a divine blessing bestowed upon those who walk in integrity, while perpetual emptiness and unfulfilled desire are the inevitable lot of those who pursue wickedness. This proverb encapsulates a core theme of biblical wisdom literature: that wisdom, rooted in righteousness, leads to holistic well-being and contentment, whereas folly, characterized by ungodliness, results in an insatiable void that can never be truly filled.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Proverbs 13 is a masterful display of antithetical parallelism, a foundational characteristic of Hebrew wisdom literature, where contrasting ideas, characters, and outcomes are juxtaposed to illuminate moral and spiritual truths. Throughout the chapter, sharp distinctions are consistently drawn between the wise and the foolish, the diligent and the lazy, the humble and the proud, and most prominently, the righteous and the wicked. Verses immediately preceding and following Proverbs 13 reinforce this overarching theme of contrasting destinies. For instance, Proverbs 13:24 speaks of discipline as an act of love, while Proverbs 13:22 discusses the inheritance of the righteous, both implicitly tied to the long-term outcomes of righteous or wicked living. Our verse, Proverbs 13:25, serves as a climactic summary, emphasizing the deep, internal satisfaction of the righteous versus the chronic dissatisfaction of the wicked, making it a powerful capstone to the chapter's ethical instruction.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Book of Proverbs is deeply embedded in the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which aimed to impart practical and moral instruction for navigating life successfully within God's established order. In ancient Israel, "wisdom" was not merely intellectual acumen but the skill of living in harmonious alignment with divine principles. The "righteous" (Hebrew: tsaddîyq) were those who lived in covenant fidelity, upholding justice, integrity, and obedience to God's law, reflecting His character in their daily lives. In contrast, the "wicked" (Hebrew: râshâʻ) were those who rebelled against God's ways, characterized by injustice, deceit, and self-serving ambition. The concepts of "eating to the satisfying of his soul" and the "belly of the wicked shall want" are rooted in a society where physical sustenance was a daily concern and often a visible sign of divine blessing or curse. However, the language transcends mere physical hunger, extending to encompass a holistic sense of well-being, spiritual contentment, and existential fulfillment, reflecting a worldview where material and spiritual realities were intrinsically linked and seen as expressions of one's relationship with the divine.
Key Themes: This proverb contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent throughout the Book of Proverbs and broader biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of Divine Retribution and Consequence, albeit in a nuanced manner that emphasizes internal states rather than solely external circumstances. It posits that righteous living generally leads to an internal state of blessing and contentment, while wickedness inevitably results in an internal state of hardship and dissatisfaction. Secondly, it highlights the theme of True Prosperity, asserting that genuine wealth lies not in material accumulation but in an internal state of contentment and spiritual satisfaction, a deep peace that transcends fluctuating circumstances. This aligns with the wisdom found throughout Psalm 37, which consistently affirms the ultimate flourishing and peace of the righteous. Thirdly, the verse speaks profoundly to the Nature of Desire and Fulfillment, positing that only a life aligned with divine wisdom can truly satisfy the deepest longings of the human spirit. Conversely, a life of ungodliness, driven by selfish and misdirected desires, inevitably leads to an insatiable emptiness, a perpetual "want." This concept resonates with the warnings against covetousness and the futility of worldly pursuits found throughout Scripture, such as in Ecclesiastes 5:10, which declares, "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money."
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Proverbs 13:25 is Antithetical Parallelism. This is a quintessential feature of Hebrew poetry, where two lines or clauses express opposing ideas, creating a sharp contrast that emphasizes a moral or theological truth. Here, the flourishing, satisfied state of the righteous is set directly against the perpetual want and emptiness of the wicked, highlighting the profound divergence in outcomes based on one's moral and spiritual alignment. The verse also employs Synecdoche by using "belly" to represent the entire person, or more specifically, the seat of one's desires and appetites. This makes the contrast between the internal states of the righteous and the wicked even more vivid and visceral. Furthermore, the imagery of "eating" and "wanting" functions as Metaphor, extending beyond literal food consumption to represent the entirety of life's experiences, blessings, and internal states of fulfillment or deprivation, thereby conveying a deeper spiritual truth.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 13:25 articulates a profound theological truth: that genuine satisfaction and well-being are not contingent on external circumstances, material accumulation, or worldly success, but rather on one's relationship with God and adherence to His righteous ways. The "satisfaction of the soul" for the righteous speaks to a spiritual contentment that flows directly from divine blessing and a life lived in integrity and obedience. Conversely, the "want" of the wicked reveals the inherent futility and spiritual emptiness of a life lived apart from God, where even apparent success cannot fill the deep spiritual void. This proverb teaches that God is the ultimate source of true fulfillment, and seeking Him first, along with His righteousness, leads to a holistic abundance and inner peace that the world cannot offer. It powerfully reinforces the biblical principle that a life of righteousness is inherently rewarding, not just in the afterlife, but in the present experience of profound peace, contentment, and spiritual satiety.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This proverb serves as a powerful mirror, challenging us to deeply examine the true source of our contentment and the nature of our deepest desires. Are we relentlessly pursuing fleeting pleasures, accumulating material wealth, or seeking worldly recognition, mistakenly believing these external achievements will satisfy our deepest longings? Or are we diligently seeking righteousness, justice, and a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, trusting that true and lasting fulfillment will flow from Him alone? The verse reminds us that genuine satisfaction is primarily an internal state, a profound gift of grace bestowed upon those who walk in integrity, rather than an external achievement or outcome. It serves as a potent warning against the deceptive allure of wickedness, which promises much but ultimately delivers only emptiness, chronic dissatisfaction, and perpetual craving. For believers, it offers immense encouragement: even in scarcity or hardship, there can be profound soul-satisfaction rooted in Christ, and in abundance, a humble recognition that all true provision and contentment come from God. Our spiritual hunger should consistently drive us to Jesus Christ, the true "bread of life," who alone can truly satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "eateth to the satisfying of his soul" only refer to physical food?
Answer: While the imagery of "eating" and "belly" initially evokes physical sustenance, the phrase "satisfying of his soul" (Hebrew: nephesh) profoundly expands the meaning far beyond mere physical hunger. Nephesh is a rich Hebrew term encompassing the whole person—their desires, emotions, life force, and inner being. Therefore, "eating to the satisfying of his soul" refers to a holistic, deep-seated contentment and fulfillment that permeates every aspect of the righteous person's life. It implies spiritual, emotional, and existential well-being, a profound sense of peace and divine provision that comes from living in alignment with God's will, not just a full stomach. This spiritual satisfaction is a recurring theme in other biblical texts, such as when Jesus declares, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" in Matthew 4:4.
How can the wicked "want" if they sometimes appear prosperous or successful?
Answer: This proverb addresses an internal spiritual and existential state, not necessarily outward material conditions. The "want" (Hebrew: châçêr) of the wicked refers to a perpetual sense of lack, an insatiable craving, or a fundamental emptiness that no amount of worldly gain, power, or fame can truly fill. While the wicked may accumulate vast wealth or achieve significant worldly success, these external achievements do not bring true contentment, peace, or lasting fulfillment. Their desires often remain unfulfilled, leading to a constant, restless pursuit of more, or a deep dissatisfaction that gnaws at their "belly" (representing their inner core and appetites). This aligns with the biblical teaching that "he who loves money will not be satisfied with money" (Ecclesiastes 5:10). True and lasting satisfaction comes from a right relationship with God and a life of righteousness, which the wicked fundamentally lack.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 13:25 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "righteous" one who eats to the satisfying of his soul perfectly foreshadows Christ, who perfectly embodied righteousness and found complete satisfaction in doing the will of His Father (John 4:34). He declared Himself the "bread of life" in John 6:35, promising that "whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus satisfied the deepest hunger of humanity—the hunger for reconciliation with a holy God, for forgiveness of sins, and for eternal life. Conversely, the "want" of the wicked highlights the spiritual emptiness and insatiable craving that characterizes a life apart from Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, constantly seeks fulfillment in worldly pursuits, only to find perpetual dissatisfaction and a gnawing void. However, in Christ, believers are invited to partake of a spiritual feast that truly satisfies the soul, as He gives "living water" that springs up to eternal life (John 4:14). He is the ultimate provision, the one who fills every void and brings the profound, lasting contentment that the Law and the prophets promised but could not fully deliver. Through Him, we receive the imputed righteousness that leads to true satisfaction, becoming "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4) and experiencing the "fullness of joy" found eternally in His presence (Psalm 16:11).