Proverbs 6:30

KJV

[Men] do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

KJV (with Strong's)

Men do not despise {H936} a thief {H1590}, if he steal {H1589} to satisfy {H4390} his soul {H5315} when he is hungry {H7456};

Complete Jewish Bible

A thief is not despised if he steals only to satisfy his appetite when hungry;

Berean Standard Bible

Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.

American Standard Version

Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy himself when he is hungry:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 6:30 offers a profound observation on human judgment, noting that a thief driven by the extreme desperation of hunger to preserve his very life might not be met with the same degree of public scorn or intense condemnation as one who steals for greed or malice. This proverb is not a justification or condonation of theft, which remains a violation of divine law, but rather a keen insight into societal empathy, setting a powerful rhetorical contrast to underscore the far greater severity, irreparable harm, and unmitigated shame associated with the sin of adultery, which is the primary focus of the surrounding wisdom literature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 6:30 is strategically positioned within a larger didactic section of the book (Proverbs 6:1-19) that issues stern warnings against various destructive behaviors, including irresponsible suretyship, debilitating laziness, and malicious plotting. Immediately following this general admonition, the text transitions into an extended and emphatic warning against the perils of sexual immorality, particularly adultery (Proverbs 6:20-35). The specific mention of the hungry thief in verse 30 functions as a powerful literary foil, a point of stark contrast designed to highlight the unparalleled heinousness and devastating consequences of adultery. By presenting a scenario where even a wrong act like theft might elicit a degree of understanding or reduced "despising" due to extreme duress, the text powerfully underscores how much more severe and unforgivable the sin of adultery is, which lacks such mitigating circumstances and brings irreparable shame and ruin, as detailed in [Proverbs 6:32-35](/proverbs/6-32 "Proverbs 6:32-35 - The Devastation of Adultery"). This rhetorical strategy amplifies the gravity and urgency of the subsequent admonition against sexual sin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, hunger was a profound and often life-threatening condition, a stark and ever-present reality for many in a subsistence-based agricultural society vulnerable to drought, famine, or crop failure. While the Mosaic Law strictly prohibited theft (e.g., [Exodus 20:15](/exodus/20-15 "Exodus 20:15 - The Eighth Commandment")), it also contained nuanced provisions that demonstrated an understanding of poverty and need, such as the gleaning laws designed to provide for the poor and sojourners ([Leviticus 19:9-10](/leviticus/19-9 "Leviticus 19:9-10 - Gleaning Laws")) and the right of a hungry person to eat from a neighbor's field or vineyard as they passed through, provided they did not carry anything away ([Deuteronomy 23:24-25](/deuteronomy/23-24 "Deuteronomy 23:24-25 - Eating from a Neighbor's Field")). Proverbs 6:30 reflects a societal perception that, while theft was unequivocally wrong and punishable, stealing out of sheer, life-threatening desperation for survival was often viewed with more pity or less public contempt than stealing for greed, malice, or luxury. This distinction was not about legal exoneration but about the degree of social opprobrium and the public's empathetic response to extreme duress.

* **Key Themes:** This proverb contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader wisdom tradition of Proverbs. Firstly, it explores the theme of **Motive vs. Act**, suggesting that while the act of stealing is inherently wrong, the underlying motive of extreme hunger can temper societal judgment or "despising." This is not a legal justification but an observation about social perception and the nuances of human empathy. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Degrees of Sin** and their corresponding consequences. By presenting a scenario where a thief, despite wrongdoing, might evoke some understanding, the proverb emphasizes how much more heinous and destructive the sin of adultery is, which carries far more severe and irreparable consequences ([Proverbs 6:32-35](/proverbs/6-32 "Proverbs 6:32-35 - The Devastation of Adultery")). Finally, it subtly points to a natural human tendency towards **Human Empathy** or at least a reduced level of condemnation for those acting out of extreme duress, particularly hunger, contrasting this with the utter lack of mitigating factors for the adulterer, whose sin is driven by lust and brings unmitigated disgrace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Despise (Hebrew, _bûwz'_):** This primitive root means "to disrespect," "contemn," or "utterly." In the context of Proverbs 6:30, it refers to the public's moral or social judgment, indicating that while the act of theft is wrong, a thief driven by hunger might not be subjected to the same level of scorn, disdain, or contempt that would normally accompany such a crime. It speaks to a nuanced societal reaction rather than a legal verdict, focusing on the lack of utter contempt.
* **Thief (Hebrew, _gannâb'_):** Derived from the primitive root _gânab_ ("to thieve, literally or figuratively; by implication, to deceive; carry away, indeed, secretly bring, steal away, get by stealth"), _gannâb_ specifically refers to "a stealer" or "thief." The use of these terms highlights that the individual is indeed a "thief" and their action is "stealing," affirming the inherent wrongness and illegality of the act, even as the proverb discusses the public's reaction to it under specific, mitigating circumstances.
* **Satisfy (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_), Soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_), Hungry (Hebrew, _râʻêb'_):** The phrase "to satisfy his soul when he is hungry" powerfully combines these concepts to convey a state of extreme, life-threatening desperation. _Mâlêʼ_ means "to fill" or "be full of," here implying to satiate or fulfill a vital need. _Nephesh_, often translated as "soul," broadly refers to a "breathing creature," "vitality," or one's very life, appetite, or being, encompassing both bodily and mental aspects. _Râʻêb_ is a primitive root meaning "to hunger" or "to famish." Together, "to satisfy his soul when he is hungry" paints a vivid picture of a person on the brink of starvation, whose very life force (_nephesh_) is depleted and requires urgent replenishment. This phrase underscores that the theft is not for luxury, greed, or malice, but for the fundamental preservation of life itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Men] do not despise a thief":** This opening clause establishes the central observation of the proverb. It highlights a common human reaction, suggesting that in certain dire circumstances, the public's moral indignation, scorn, or contempt towards a thief might be significantly lessened. This is not a statement of legal absolution or moral justification, but rather an insight into social perception, indicating a degree of understanding or pity rather than outright, unmitigated scorn.
* **"if he steal to satisfy his soul":** This crucial part introduces the mitigating circumstance that tempers public judgment. The act of theft is not for enrichment, personal gain, or malicious intent, but specifically "to satisfy his soul," which implies a desperate, life-sustaining need. The "soul" here refers to one's very being, life, or vital essence, emphasizing that the act is driven by a fundamental biological imperative for survival, a need so profound it touches the core of one's existence.
* **"when he is hungry;":** This final phrase clarifies and intensifies the motive, providing the ultimate context for the "satisfaction of his soul." It specifies that the desperate act is directly linked to an acute state of hunger, implying starvation or severe deprivation. This condition is presented as the ultimate justification for the public's reduced "despising," sharply distinguishing this act from other forms of theft motivated by greed, envy, or wanton disregard for others' property.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 6:30 employs several literary devices to convey its nuanced message. The most prominent device is **Juxtaposition** or **Contrast**, as this verse serves as a deliberate rhetorical setup for the subsequent, much harsher condemnation of adultery. By presenting a scenario where a thief, despite his wrongdoing, might evoke some understanding or reduced contempt, the proverb starkly contrasts this with the absolute and unmitigated disgrace and destruction brought by adultery, emphasizing its far greater severity. There is also an element of **Understatement** in the phrase "do not despise," as it subtly implies a lesser degree of societal condemnation rather than outright forgiveness or approval, highlighting a nuanced human response. Furthermore, the phrase "to satisfy his soul when he is hungry" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme desperation, conveying a life-or-death situation that elicits a different human response compared to theft motivated by less dire circumstances. The vivid imagery evokes a sense of profound need.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 6:30, while never condoning theft, invites a deeper theological reflection on the complexities of justice, mercy, and the varying degrees of sin in the eyes of both humanity and God. It subtly acknowledges the profound impact of human desperation on moral choices, without excusing the sin itself. The wisdom literature frequently grapples with the intricate realities of life, recognizing that while God's law is absolute and unchanging, human circumstances can profoundly influence perception and the severity of consequences. Ultimately, this proverb functions as a powerful rhetorical device to highlight the unparalleled destructive nature of sexual sin, particularly adultery, which brings far greater and often irreparable harm to individuals, families, and society than even a desperate act of theft. It underscores that some sins carry a heavier weight of consequence, a deeper stain of disgrace, and a more profound measure of divine displeasure, demanding a higher degree of vigilance and condemnation.

* [Exodus 22:1-4](/exodus/22-1 "Laws Concerning Theft and Restitution")
* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "To Whom Much Is Given")
* [James 2:13](/james/2-13 "Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 6:30 challenges us to look beyond the surface of an act to understand the underlying motivations and circumstances, fostering a more nuanced and compassionate perspective. While it never justifies sin, it encourages us to consider the profound desperation that can drive certain actions, prompting us to extend understanding, if not condonation, to those in dire straits. More significantly, its primary purpose is to heighten our awareness of the truly devastating sins, particularly those that destroy relationships, families, and one's own integrity, like adultery. This proverb calls us to prioritize our vigilance against sins that carry the most profound and lasting negative consequences, both for ourselves and for others, and to cultivate a heart that is quick to address the root causes of desperation in society, rather than merely condemning its symptoms. It reminds us that true wisdom involves discerning not only right from wrong, but also the varying degrees of harm and the appropriate responses to each.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the motive behind an action, even a sinful one, influence your judgment or empathy towards the individual involved?**
* **In what ways does society today "despise" certain sins more or less than others, and what might be the reasons for these distinctions in public perception?**
* **What are the "greater" sins in our lives or communities that we might be overlooking or treating too lightly while focusing disproportionately on lesser ones, and how can we re-prioritize our spiritual vigilance?**

### FAQ

**Does Proverbs 6:30 condone or justify theft if one is hungry?**

Answer: No, Proverbs 6:30 does not condone or justify theft. The Bible consistently condemns stealing as a sin (e.g., [Exodus 20:15](/exodus/20-15 "The Eighth Commandment")). This proverb is an observation about human perception and the varying degrees of social scorn. It notes that people tend to have less contempt for a thief driven by life-threatening hunger than for one who steals out of greed or malice. The thief is still called a "thief," and the act is still "stealing," implying wrongdoing. The verse's main point is to contrast this lesser societal "despising" with the far greater and irreparable shame and destruction caused by adultery, which is the primary focus of the surrounding verses in [Proverbs 6](/proverbs/6 "Warnings Against Folly").

**How does this proverb relate to modern issues of poverty and social justice?**

Answer: While Proverbs 6:30 is not a direct mandate for social policy, it offers a timeless principle relevant to modern issues of poverty and social justice. It highlights the human tendency to show a degree of empathy for those acting out of extreme desperation. This can prompt us to consider the systemic issues that lead to such desperation. A society that truly understands this proverb might be moved not to excuse crime, but to address the root causes of extreme hunger and poverty, ensuring that basic human needs are met so that individuals are not driven to desperate measures. It encourages compassion and a holistic approach to justice, recognizing that true justice often involves addressing both individual wrongdoing and societal conditions that contribute to it, echoing principles found in passages like [Isaiah 58:6-7](/isaiah/58-6 "True Fasting and Justice") which call for active pursuit of justice for the oppressed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 6:30, in its exploration of human judgment and the varying degrees of sin, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While the proverb acknowledges a human tendency to show a measure of understanding for the hungry thief, Jesus perfectly embodies divine compassion and justice. He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Jesus Fulfills the Law")), upholding the holiness of God's commands while simultaneously demonstrating radical mercy. Jesus consistently showed profound compassion for the poor, the hungry, and the marginalized, not condoning their sin but addressing their deepest needs, both physical and spiritual. He fed the hungry multitudes ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13 "Feeding the Five Thousand")) and declared that true righteousness extends beyond outward acts to the heart's motives ([Matthew 5:27-28](/matthew/5-27 "Adultery in the Heart")). Ultimately, Christ is the One who satisfies the deepest hunger of the human soul, offering Himself as the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the "living water" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")), addressing the spiritual starvation that underlies all human brokenness and sin. His sacrifice on the cross paid the full penalty for all sin, from the desperate act of theft to the destructive sin of adultery, offering forgiveness and restoration that human judgment or empathy alone can never provide, and demonstrating God's perfect balance of justice and mercy.

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

Job 38:39

Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,