Proverbs 19:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

He that hath pity {H2603} upon the poor {H1800} lendeth {H3867} unto the LORD {H3068}; and that which he hath given {H1576} will he pay him again {H7999}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He who is kind to the poor is lending to ADONAI; and he will repay him for his good deed.

Berean Standard Bible

Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

American Standard Version

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 19:17 profoundly asserts that acts of compassion and generosity shown to the impoverished are considered by God as direct loans made to Himself, guaranteeing a divine recompense. This proverb elevates human charity from a mere social obligation to a sacred transaction, establishing God as the ultimate guarantor and generous repayor of every kindness extended to the needy. It underscores a fundamental principle of divine economy where mercy shown to the vulnerable is a secure investment in the kingdom of God, promising an assured return from the Lord Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 19 is a collection of various wisdom sayings, often presenting antithetical parallels or simple declarative statements that offer practical guidance for living a righteous and prosperous life. This particular proverb, 19:17, stands as a powerful declaration within a broader section (roughly [Proverbs 19:1-29](/proverbs/19 "Proverbs 19 - Wisdom Sayings")) that touches on themes of wisdom versus folly, diligence versus laziness, the importance of justice, and the consequences of one's actions. It immediately follows a proverb about the importance of a good name and a just ruler ([Proverbs 19:16](/proverbs/19-16 "Proverbs 19:16 - Keeping the Commandment")), and precedes a warning against mocking one's father or despising one's mother ([Proverbs 19:26](/proverbs/19-26 "Proverbs 19:26 - Disgraceful Conduct")). The placement emphasizes that compassion for the poor is not an isolated virtue but an integral part of a life lived in wisdom and reverence for God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many agrarian societies, poverty was a pervasive reality, often resulting from famine, debt, or social misfortune. The Mosaic Law contained numerous provisions for the care of the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner, reflecting God's special concern for the vulnerable (e.g., [Deuteronomy 15:7-11](/deuteronomy/15-7-11 "Deuteronomy 15:7-11 - Lending to the Poor")). While these laws provided a social safety net, the wisdom literature, like Proverbs, often appealed to individual moral responsibility and divine motivation. The concept of "lending" or "giving" in this context would have been understood not as a commercial loan with interest, but as an act of benevolent support, often without expectation of human repayment. The cultural understanding of debt and obligation would have made the metaphor of "lending to the LORD" particularly striking and impactful, signifying a guaranteed, divine repayment far exceeding any human capacity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights God's **identification with the poor and vulnerable**, a theme echoed in the prophetic books where injustice to the poor is seen as an affront to God (e.g., [Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6-7 "Amos 2:6-7 - Oppression of the Poor")). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine recompense and justice**, assuring that righteous actions, particularly those motivated by compassion, will be divinely rewarded. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that God is a just judge who "repays everyone according to his conduct" ([Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - The Deceitful Heart")). Lastly, it reinforces the theme of **practical wisdom and righteous living**, demonstrating that true wisdom involves not just intellectual knowledge but also compassionate action towards one's neighbor, recognizing that such actions have eternal significance and divine backing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pity (Hebrew, _chânan'_):** From the primitive root meaning "to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow." This word encompasses not just a feeling of sorrow, but an active demonstration of favor, mercy, and grace. It implies a compassionate inclination that leads to tangible action, moving beyond mere sympathy to practical assistance.
* **poor (Hebrew, _dal'_):** From the root meaning "dangling," implying weakness or thinness. It refers to those who are lean, needy, or impoverished. This term emphasizes their vulnerable and dependent state, highlighting their lack of resources and often, their lack of social power.
* **lendeth (Hebrew, _lâvâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to twine," by implication "to unite," "to remain," and also "to borrow" or (causatively) "to lend." In this context, it signifies an act of giving with the expectation of return, but here the return is guaranteed by God Himself. The metaphor suggests a binding agreement, where God takes on the obligation of repayment.
* **pay him again (Hebrew, _shâlam'_):** A primitive root meaning "to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications)." This word conveys the idea of making whole, completing, or rendering full payment. It assures a complete and satisfactory requital from the Lord, emphasizing the certainty and completeness of the divine reward.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that hath pity upon the poor":** This clause identifies the subject of the proverb: an individual who demonstrates active compassion and mercy towards those in a state of need or destitution. The "pity" is not passive sentiment but an active, benevolent disposition that leads to practical help.
* **"lendeth unto the LORD":** This is the central metaphorical assertion. The act of helping the poor is not merely an earthly transaction but is re-categorized as a loan made directly to God. God Himself assumes the role of the debtor, thereby guaranteeing the repayment. This elevates the act of charity to a sacred, divine transaction.
* **"and that which he hath given will he pay him again":** This final clause provides the divine assurance. The "he" here refers to the LORD. What the compassionate person has "given" (or "lent" in the metaphorical sense) to the poor, the LORD will "pay him again" in full measure. This emphasizes the certainty, completeness, and divine origin of the recompense, making generosity a secure and divinely sanctioned investment.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 19:17 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the act of giving to the poor is directly equated with "lending unto the LORD." This startling comparison transforms a simple act of charity into a divine financial transaction, imbuing it with immense spiritual significance and guaranteed return. Closely related is **Personification**, as the LORD is personified as a borrower or debtor who incurs an obligation and promises repayment. This makes the abstract concept of divine reward tangible and relatable. The proverb also contains an element of **Hyperbole**, as it suggests that the Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of all, would "owe" anything to a human being. This exaggeration serves to underscore the immense value God places on compassion for the poor and the certainty of His repayment. Finally, there is an implicit **Paradox** in the idea that giving away resources (to the poor) actually results in gaining more (from God), challenging conventional human economic wisdom and highlighting God's upside-down kingdom principles.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb unveils a profound theological truth: God identifies so intimately with the poor and vulnerable that acts of compassion towards them are considered acts of service and generosity directed toward Himself. This principle elevates the dignity of the impoverished and underscores the sacred nature of charity, transforming it from a mere social duty into a direct interaction with the divine. It reveals God's character as one who not only cares deeply for the marginalized but also actively rewards those who reflect His compassion. This divine guarantee of repayment serves as a powerful incentive for generosity, assuring believers that their kindness is not lost but is a secure investment in God's economy, where the returns are certain and divinely assured.

* [Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Identifying with the Least of These")
* [Luke 6:38](/luke/6-38 "Luke 6:38 - Giving and Receiving")
* [Hebrews 6:10](/hebrews/6-10 "Hebrews 6:10 - God Will Not Forget Your Work")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 19:17 calls us to a radical reorientation of our understanding of generosity. It challenges us to see beyond the immediate act of giving to the poor and to recognize that we are, in fact, engaging in a sacred transaction with the Creator of the universe. This perspective transforms giving from a potential burden or a mere act of human kindness into an act of profound faith and worship. When we extend ourselves to meet the needs of the vulnerable, we are not simply alleviating suffering; we are making a deposit into a divine account, trusting in the Lord's unfailing promise to repay. This should inspire us to cultivate a heart of active compassion, knowing that every act of mercy, no matter how small, is seen, valued, and guaranteed to be repaid by God Himself. It encourages us to be conduits of God's love and provision, confident that our generosity will never be in vain but will yield eternal dividends.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does viewing generosity to the poor as "lending to the LORD" change your perspective on giving?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate active compassion towards someone in need, trusting in God's promise of repayment?**
* **In what ways might a lack of generosity reflect a lack of trust in God's ability or willingness to repay?**

### FAQ
**Does "lendeth unto the LORD" mean God literally needs our money or resources?**

Answer: No, the phrase "lendeth unto the LORD" is a powerful metaphor, not a literal statement that God is in need. God is sovereign and self-sufficient, requiring nothing from humanity ([Acts 17:25](/acts/17-25 "Acts 17:25 - God Needs Nothing")). Instead, it signifies that God so deeply identifies with the poor and vulnerable that He considers an act of kindness shown to them as if it were shown directly to Him. He then takes on the role of a guarantor or debtor, promising to repay the one who gives. It's a way of assuring the giver that their generosity is not forgotten or wasted, but is a secure investment with a divine return.

**What kind of repayment does God promise for those who help the poor?**

Answer: The proverb states, "that which he hath given will he pay him again," implying a full and certain recompense. While this can include material blessings, the repayment is often understood in broader terms, encompassing spiritual blessings, favor, wisdom, peace, joy, and eternal rewards. Jesus spoke of such rewards, promising that even a cup of cold water given in His name would not lose its reward ([Matthew 10:42](/matthew/10-42 "Matthew 10:42 - Reward for Service")). The ultimate repayment is often seen in the context of God's abundant grace and provision, both in this life and the life to come, far exceeding any human contribution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 19:17 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The proverb's assertion that God identifies with the poor and repays those who show them mercy is perfectly embodied in Christ, who not only taught compassion for the marginalized but *became* poor for our sake ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). Jesus explicitly stated that acts of mercy shown to "the least of these" are considered as acts done directly to Him ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - The King's Judgment")). He is the divine guarantor, not just of repayment for our good deeds, but of the ultimate spiritual repayment for our sin through His atoning sacrifice. In Christ, the "lending to the LORD" takes on a new dimension: our faith in Him is the ultimate "investment," and His finished work on the cross is the "payment" that secures our eternal inheritance ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")). Thus, our acts of compassion, empowered by the Spirit and motivated by Christ's love, are not merely loans to God, but expressions of our union with the One who fully paid the debt of sin and promises eternal life to all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")).

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 28:27

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

Hebrews 6:10

For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

2 Corinthians 9:6

¶ But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

Ecclesiastes 11:1

¶ Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.