Proverbs 6:30

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 6:30 offers a nuanced observation about human perception of crime, specifically theft. The verse states, "[Men] do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;" This proverb does not condone theft, but rather highlights a societal understanding or a lesser degree of scorn directed towards someone driven by extreme desperation.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Proverbs 6 that warns against various destructive behaviors, including suretyship, laziness, and especially adultery. The mention of the hungry thief serves as a literary device to create a stark contrast with the sin of adultery, which is discussed immediately after this verse. In ancient societies, hunger was a profound and often life-threatening condition. While theft was always wrong and punishable, stealing out of sheer desperation for survival was often viewed with more pity or less contempt than stealing for greed or malice.

Key Themes

  • Motive vs. Act: The verse draws a distinction between the act of stealing and the underlying motive. While the act itself is sinful, the motive of extreme hunger can temper societal judgment or "despise." This isn't about legal exoneration but about social perception and empathy.
  • Degrees of Sin: The primary purpose of this verse is to set the stage for the unparalleled severity of adultery. By presenting a scenario where a thief, despite his wrongdoing, might evoke some understanding, the proverb emphasizes how much more heinous and destructive the sin of adultery is. The consequences for the adulterer are far more severe and irreparable (Proverbs 6:32-35).
  • Human Empathy: It subtly points to a natural human tendency to show compassion or at least a reduced level of condemnation for those acting out of extreme duress, particularly hunger.

Linguistic Nuance

The phrase "do not despise" translates the Hebrew *lo' yibzu* (לֹא יִבְזוּ), meaning "they do not scorn" or "they do not look down upon." This indicates a social or moral judgment rather than a legal one. The phrase "to satisfy his soul" (לְהָשִׁיב נֶפֶשׁ – *lehashiv nefesh*) literally means "to bring back life" or "to refresh the soul," underscoring the desperate, life-sustaining nature of the act, not a pursuit of luxury or excess.

Practical Application

Proverbs 6:30 invites us to consider the complexities of human actions and motivations. While sin is sin, understanding the circumstances can inform our judgments and compassion. It reminds us that not all wrongs are equal in their destructive power or societal impact. More importantly, it serves as a powerful preamble to the subsequent verses, urging us to recognize the immense spiritual and social devastation caused by sins like adultery, which bring far greater shame and irreparable harm than even a desperate act of theft. This principle encourages us to prioritize and be vigilant against sins that have the most profound and lasting negative consequences, both for ourselves and for others, as highlighted by the warnings against adultery in Proverbs 6:32-35.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 38:39

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