14:20 14:20

Proverbs 14:21

14:22 14:22

Bible Versions

¶ He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
He that despiseth {H936} his neighbour {H7453} sinneth {H2398}: but he that hath mercy {H2603} on the poor {H6035}{H6041}, happy {H835} is he.
He who despises his fellow sins, but he who shows compassion to the humble is happy.
He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.
He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth; But he that hath pity on the poor, happy is he.

Context

Proverbs 14:21 is a classic example of antithetical parallelism common in the book of Proverbs, where two contrasting ideas are presented to highlight the wisdom of one path over another. This verse fits within a larger collection of wisdom sayings that address practical ethics, social responsibility, and the consequences of human actions. The book of Proverbs frequently emphasizes the importance of justice, compassion, and care for the vulnerable, reflecting God's own character and His expectations for His people's conduct within society.

Key Themes

  • The Sin of Contempt: The verse sternly warns against despising or disdaining one's neighbor. This is not merely a social faux pas but is explicitly called "sin," indicating a violation of God's moral law and a disregard for the inherent dignity of human beings created in God's image.
  • The Blessing of Compassion: In stark contrast, the verse extols the virtue of showing mercy to the poor. Such active benevolence is not just commendable but leads to genuine "happiness" or blessedness, a state of well-being and divine favor.
  • Divine Justice and Reward: The Proverb implies that God observes how individuals treat others, particularly the marginalized. There is a clear divine principle at play: contempt for the vulnerable brings spiritual condemnation, while compassion brings divine blessing.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word for "despiseth" (Hebrew: bâzâh) means to scorn, disdain, hold in contempt, or treat as worthless. It signifies an attitude of devaluation.
  • "Sinneth" (Hebrew: châṭâʼ) is the common biblical term for missing the mark, going astray, or incurring guilt against God's standards.
  • "Mercy" (Hebrew: chânan) implies showing grace, favor, or compassion. It's an active demonstration of kindness and pity towards someone in need.
  • "Poor" (Hebrew: dal) refers to the weak, the lowly, or the economically disadvantaged.
  • "Happy" (Hebrew: ʼâshar) signifies blessedness, good fortune, or prosperity in a holistic sense, often implying divine approval and inner contentment rather than just material wealth.

Related Scriptures

The first part, "He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth," highlights a fundamental principle of biblical ethics: contempt or disdain for another human being is a direct violation of God's law. This attitude goes against the very spirit of love for one's neighbor, a commandment central to both the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18) and the New Testament (Matthew 22:39).

Conversely, the second part offers a powerful contrast: "but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he." This promise of happiness or blessing is tied directly to compassionate action. The Bible consistently affirms that showing kindness to the poor is an act of lending to the Lord Himself, and such generosity is met with divine favor. Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of caring for the marginalized, stating that acts of compassion towards "the least of these" are considered as acts done to Him (Matthew 25:40).

Practical Application

Proverbs 14:21 challenges believers to examine their attitudes and actions towards others, particularly those who may be less fortunate or hold a lower social standing. It calls for:

  • Self-Examination: Are there individuals or groups we tend to look down upon or treat with disdain? This verse reminds us that such an attitude is sinful in God's eyes.
  • Active Compassion: True faith is not passive. It moves us to actively seek out opportunities to show mercy and practical help to those in need, whether through charity, kindness, or advocacy.
  • Seeking True Happiness: The verse redefines "happiness" not as the pursuit of personal gain or comfort, but as the blessed state that comes from living righteously and aligning our hearts with God's compassion for the vulnerable.
This Proverb encourages a lifestyle of humility, empathy, and generous service, recognizing that how we treat our fellow human beings is a direct reflection of our reverence for God.

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.
  • Proverbs 19:17

    ¶ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
  • Proverbs 28:27

    ¶ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
  • Proverbs 11:12

    ¶ He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
  • Proverbs 17:5

    ¶ Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
  • 1 John 3:17

    But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
  • 1 John 3:22

    And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
  • Proverbs 14:31

    ¶ He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
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