Proverbs 11:4
Proverbs 11:4 in Multiple Translations
Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death.
Wealth is of no profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness keeps a man safe from death.
Wealth won't help you on judgment day, but goodness saves you from death.
Riches auaile not in the day of wrath: but righteousnes deliuereth from death.
Wealth profiteth not in a day of wrath, And righteousness delivereth from death.
Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but justice shall deliver from death.
Your money will not help you on the day that God judges and punishes people; but if you live righteously, you will live a long time.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 11:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 11:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לֹא
יוֹעִ֣יל
ה֭וֹן
בְּ/י֣וֹם
עֶבְרָ֑ה
וּ֝/צְדָקָ֗ה
תַּצִּ֥יל
מִ/מָּֽוֶת
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יוֹעִ֣יל
yaʻal
H3276
to gain
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
ה֭וֹן
hôwn
H1952
substance
N-ms
בְּ/י֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Prep | N-ms
עֶבְרָ֑ה
ʻebrâh
H5678
fury
N-fs
וּ֝/צְדָקָ֗ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
righteousness
Conj | N-fs
תַּצִּ֥יל
nâtsal
H5337
to rescue
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs
מִ/מָּֽוֶת
mâveth
H4194
death
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 11:4
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יוֹעִ֣יל
yaʻal
H3276
"to gain"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to gain or ascend, and can also mean to be valuable or beneficial. It is used in various forms in the Bible to convey the idea of profit or advantage.
Definition: (Hiphil) to gain, profit, benefit, avail
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, set forward, can do good, (be, have) profit, (able). See also: 1 Samuel 12:21; Isaiah 44:10; Proverbs 10:2.
ה֭וֹן
hôwn
H1952
"substance"
N-ms
This word refers to wealth or substance, implying that something is enough or of high value. It can also be translated as riches or sufficiency.
Definition: 1) wealth, riches, substance 1a) wealth 1b) price, high value interj 2) enough!, sufficiency
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: enough, [phrase] for nought, riches, substance, wealth. See also: Psalms 44:13; Proverbs 19:4; Psalms 112:3.
בְּ/י֣וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
עֶבְרָ֑ה
ʻebrâh
H5678
"fury"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means an outburst of passion, such as anger, rage, or wrath, often describing God's response to sin. It's used to convey intense emotions in the Bible.
Definition: 1) outpouring, overflow, excess, fury, wrath, arrogance 1a) overflow, excess, outburst 1b) arrogance 1c) overflowing rage or fury
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: anger, rage, wrath. See also: Genesis 49:7; Isaiah 14:6; Psalms 7:7.
וּ֝/צְדָקָ֗ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
"righteousness"
Conj | N-fs
Encompasses the idea of righteousness, including justice, virtue, and morality, often describing God's attribute or the standard for human behavior. It is used to describe the ideal for personal conduct and societal norms, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life.
Definition: 1) justice, righteousness 1a) righteousness (in government) 1a1) of judge, ruler, king 1a2) of law 1a3) of Davidic king Messiah 1b) righteousness (of God's attribute) 1c) righteousness (in a case or cause) 1d) righteousness, truthfulness 1e) righteousness (as ethically right) 1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation 1f1) of God 1f2) prosperity (of people) 1g) righteous acts Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)
Usage: Occurs in 150 OT verses. KJV: justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness). See also: Genesis 15:6; Proverbs 16:31; Psalms 5:9.
תַּצִּ֥יל
nâtsal
H5337
"to rescue"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs
To rescue means to snatch away or deliver from danger. It can also mean to strip or plunder, depending on the context, and appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself 1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to strip off, spoil 1b2) to deliver 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to take away, snatch away 1c2) to rescue, recover 1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death) 1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt 1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out 1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsal (נְצַל "to rescue" H5338)
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, [idiom] without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, [idiom] surely, take (out). See also: Genesis 31:9; Psalms 40:14; Psalms 7:2.
מִ/מָּֽוֶת
mâveth
H4194
"death"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word refers to death, whether natural or violent, and is used in books like Genesis and Isaiah. It can also mean the place of the dead, or a state of ruin. This concept is seen in the story of Moses, where death is a punishment for disobedience.
Definition: 1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead 1a) death 1b) death by violence (as a penalty) 1c) state of death, place of death Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). See also: Genesis 21:16; Job 38:17; Psalms 6:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 11:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 11:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 11:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 11:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 11:4
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 11:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
- Sermons on Proverbs 11:4
Context — Dishonest Scales
2When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
3The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
4Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.
5The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. 6The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the faithless are trapped by their own desires.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zephaniah 1:18 | Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth. |
| 2 | Proverbs 10:2 | Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. |
| 3 | Genesis 7:1 | Then the LORD said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and all your family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 7:19 | They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity. |
| 5 | 1 Timothy 4:8 | For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come. |
| 6 | Psalms 49:6–8 | They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice, |
| 7 | Luke 12:20 | But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ |
| 8 | Matthew 16:26 | What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? |
| 9 | Proverbs 12:28 | There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death. |
| 10 | Job 36:18–19 | Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large bribe lead you astray. Can your wealth or all your mighty effort keep you from distress? |
Proverbs 11:4 Summary
[This verse is saying that when God judges us, having a lot of money or possessions won't be able to save us, but living a righteous life will. This means that we should focus on doing what is right and following God, rather than just trying to get rich. As Psalm 37:39 says, our salvation comes from God, and as Romans 6:23 explains, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. By trusting in God's righteousness and living a righteous life, we can have deliverance from spiritual death and be saved.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that riches are worthless in the day of wrath?
This means that when God's judgment comes, having wealth will not be able to save us from His wrath, as seen in Proverbs 11:4, but rather it is our righteousness that will bring deliverance, as also mentioned in Psalm 37:39.
How can righteousness bring deliverance from death?
Righteousness, which is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ, brings deliverance from spiritual death and separation from God, as explained in Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9.
Is this verse saying that being rich is bad?
No, this verse is not saying that being rich is inherently bad, but rather that riches cannot save us from God's judgment, as also warned in 1 Timothy 6:10, and that our focus should be on living a righteous life.
What is the day of wrath mentioned in this verse?
The day of wrath refers to the time of God's judgment, when He will punish sin and wickedness, as described in Revelation 6:17 and Romans 2:5, and it is a time when only those who are righteous through faith in Jesus Christ will be saved.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I prioritize riches or material possessions over righteousness in my life, and how can I change this?
- How can I cultivate righteousness in my daily life, and what are some practical steps I can take to live a more righteous life?
- What does it mean to me personally that righteousness brings deliverance from death, and how does this impact my daily choices and decisions?
- In what ways do I seek to use my wealth or possessions to try to save myself, rather than trusting in God's righteousness and deliverance?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 11:4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath,.... When God takes away the soul, and summons to judgment, and brings to it; and as riches profited not Rome Pagan, in the day of the Lamb's wrath upon it; so
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 11:4
Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. Riches profit not in the day of wrath - the day of God's judicial vengeance (Ezekiel 7:19; cf. on this verse Proverbs 10:2).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
In the day of wrath; in the time of God’ s judgments, when he is executing wrath and vengeance upon sinners. Righteousness, or mercy, as this word is oft rendered; or charity to the poor, which is fitly opposed to riches laid up in store. Delivereth from death; it moveth God to deliver them ofttimes from temporal calamities, and always from eternal death, where such actions are done from a right principle.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.Ver. 4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath.] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’ s wrath. Yea, they carried away the richer Jews, when the poorer sort were left to till the land. The great Caliph of Babylon, whom all the Mohammedan princes honoured above all others, as the true successor of Mohammed, and the grand oracle of their law, being taken together with his city by the great Cham of Tartary, was by him set in the midst of his infinite treasure, and willed to feed thereon, and make no spare; in which order, the covetous wretch, being kept for certain days, miserably died for hunger, in the midst of those things, whereof he thought he should never have enough. Wherefore should I die, being so rich? said that wretched Cardinal Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, in Henry VI’ s time. Fie, quoth he, will not death be hired? will money do nothing? His riches could not reprieve him. But righteousness delivereth from death.] Turk. Hist., fol. 113. Acts and Mon., fol. 925.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
(4) In the day of wrath.—Riches profit in no day of wrath when God “visits” His people to take account of their evil doings; much less will they avail in “the day” (1 Corinthians 3:13). Righteousness delivereth from death.—See above on Proverbs 10:2.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
Verse 4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath] Among men they can do all things; but they cannot purchase the remission of sins, nor turn aside the wrath of God when that is poured out upon the opulent transgressor.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 11:4
4. in the day of wrath] “While the words are true in their highest sense of the great ‘Dies iræ’ of the future, they speak in the first instance, as do the like words in Zephaniah 1:15-18, of any ‘day of the Lord,’ any time of judgement, when men or nations receive the chastisement of their sins. At such times ‘riches profit not.’ ” Speaker’s Comm.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 11:4
The day of wrath - Words true in their highest sense of the great “diesirae” of the future, but spoken in the first instance (compare Zephaniah 1:15-18) of any “day of the Lord,” any time of
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 11:4
4. Riches profit not — Are of no use. In the day of wrath — That is, of divine wrath; so the word is often used. Compare Job 21:30; Ezekiel 7:19; Zephaniah 1:18; Proverbs 10:2-3.
Sermons on Proverbs 11:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Preaching on Alcohol by Billy Sunday | This sermon emphasizes the need for righteousness and the importance of turning to Jesus for true fulfillment and purpose. It highlights the consequences of seeking satisfaction in |
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What Can We Take Into Eternity? by Peter Masters | This sermon emphasizes the reality that we enter and leave this world with nothing material, highlighting the importance of spiritual preparation for eternity. It contrasts the fat |
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The Three Great Woes of Hell by Steve Gallagher | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of sin, the deceitfulness of riches, and the perversity of the human heart. He warns that unsaved individuals should tremble at th |
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Of Remedies Against Covetousness by William Gouge | William Gouge emphasizes the importance of preventing and addressing covetousness by following specific rules: understanding true happiness and the deceitfulness of riches, setting |
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Isaiah’s Apocalypse by Steve Gallagher | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the prophecy in Isaiah 24, which describes the destruction and chaos that will come upon the earth. The speaker emphasizes that everyone will |
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When God Is Silent and Evil Prevails by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman addresses the feelings of abandonment and confusion when God seems silent amidst the prevalence of evil in the world. He emphasizes the importance of venting to God, |
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Stealing the Shower by Ed Wrather | Ed Wrather preaches about the importance of ceasing from stealing and instead working with one's hands to provide for oneself and others in need. He emphasizes that stealing goes a |