¶ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
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}.
He who is kind to the poor is lending to ADONAI; and he will repay him for his good deed.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again.
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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.
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.
Commentary
This proverb speaks powerfully about God's perspective on generosity towards the less fortunate. In the context of ancient Israel, as in many societies, the poor were often vulnerable and dependent on the kindness of others. Proverbs frequently encourages compassion and justice for the poor and oppressed.
The core message is that showing pity or mercy (the Hebrew word can encompass both) to the poor is not merely an act of human charity, but is seen by God as an act directed towards Himself. The striking metaphor "lendeth unto the LORD" signifies that God considers Himself indebted to the one who helps the poor. It elevates the act of giving from a simple donation to a divine transaction, with God as the ultimate guarantor and rewarder.
The phrase "that which he hath given will he pay him again" emphasizes the certainty of the divine return. It's not just a potential blessing, but a guaranteed repayment from the LORD Himself. This promise serves as a powerful motivation for generosity, assuring the giver that their kindness is not forgotten or lost, but is a secure investment in God's economy.
This verse highlights a key theme found throughout scripture: God identifies with the poor and vulnerable, and acts of compassion towards them are seen as service to Him. It challenges the notion that helping the poor is solely a human responsibility or burden, reframing it as an opportunity to partner with God and trust in His promise of reward.
Cross Reference
See also Matthew 25:40, Luke 6:38, Hebrews 6:10.
Practical Application
This proverb encourages believers today to be generous towards those in need, reminding us that such acts are noticed and valued by God. It shifts our perspective from viewing giving as a loss or a mere obligation to seeing it as an act of faith, trusting that God will honor His promise to repay. Our compassion for the poor is a tangible expression of our love for God and our fellow man.