Proverbs 18:11
Proverbs 18:11 in Multiple Translations
A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
Rich people see their wealth as a fortified town—it's like a high wall in their imagination.
The rich mans riches are his strong citie: and as an hie wall in his imagination.
The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.
The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
Rich people are protected because they have a lot of money [PRS] like a city is protected because it has a high wall surrounding it [SIM].
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 18:11
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 18:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ה֣וֹן
עָ֭שִׁיר
קִרְיַ֣ת
עֻזּ֑/וֹ
וּ/כְ/חוֹמָ֥ה
נִ֝שְׂגָּבָ֗ה
בְּ/מַשְׂכִּיתֽ/וֹ
ה֣וֹן
hôwn
H1952
substance
N-ms
עָ֭שִׁיר
ʻâshîyr
H6223
rich
Adj
קִרְיַ֣ת
qiryâh
H7151
town
N-fs
עֻזּ֑/וֹ
ʻôz
H5797
strength
N-ms | Suff
וּ/כְ/חוֹמָ֥ה
chôwmâh
H2346
wall
Conj | Prep | N-fs
נִ֝שְׂגָּבָ֗ה
sâgab
H7682
to exalt
V-Niphal
בְּ/מַשְׂכִּיתֽ/וֹ
maskîyth
H4906
figure
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 18:11
ה֣וֹן
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.
עָ֭שִׁיר
ʻâshîyr
H6223
"rich"
Adj
In the Bible, the Hebrew word for 'rich' describes someone with wealth or noble status. It is used to describe people who are wealthy, like the rich man in certain parables. The word is often translated as 'rich' in English Bibles.
Definition: adj 1) rich, wealthy n 2) the rich, the wealthy, rich man
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: rich (man). See also: Exodus 30:15; Proverbs 18:23; Psalms 45:13.
קִרְיַ֣ת
qiryâh
H7151
"town"
N-fs
This word refers to a town or city, a place where people live and work. It is used in the Bible to describe various urban areas.
Definition: 1) city, town 1a) in general 1b) in specific 1c) collective 1d) indefinite Aramaic equivalent: qir.yah (קִרְיָה "town" H7149)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: city. See also: Numbers 21:28; Isaiah 22:2; Psalms 48:3.
עֻזּ֑/וֹ
ʻôz
H5797
"strength"
N-ms | Suff
Describes strength or might, including physical power, social status, or boldness, like the strength of God or a strong leader.
Definition: 1) might, strength 1a) material or physical 1b) personal or social or political
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong. See also: Exodus 15:2; Psalms 84:6; Psalms 8:3.
וּ/כְ/חוֹמָ֥ה
chôwmâh
H2346
"wall"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
A wall of protection, like the walls of Jerusalem, provided safety and security for the people. It appears in the Bible as a physical barrier. The Israelites built walls around their cities for defense.
Definition: wall
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: wall, walled. See also: Exodus 14:22; Nehemiah 6:15; Psalms 51:20.
נִ֝שְׂגָּבָ֗ה
sâgab
H7682
"to exalt"
V-Niphal
To exalt means to make something or someone lofty or strong, often used to describe God's power. It can also mean to defend or set something on high. This concept is found in Psalms and other books.
Definition: 1) to be high, be inaccessibly high 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be (too) high (for capture) 1a2) to be high (of prosperity) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be high 1b2) to be set on high, be (safely) set on high 1b3) to be exalted (of God) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to set on high, set (securely) on high 1c2) to exalt, exalt (in effective hostility) 1d) (Pual) to be set (securely) on high 1e) (Hiphil) to act exaltedly
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: defend, exalt, be excellent, (be, set on) high, lofty, be safe, set up (on high), be too strong. See also: Deuteronomy 2:36; Proverbs 18:10; Psalms 20:2.
בְּ/מַשְׂכִּיתֽ/וֹ
maskîyth
H4906
"figure"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Maskith means a carved figure or image, often referring to idols or pictures. It can also describe imagination or conceit, as in a person's thoughts or ideas. This word appears in various forms in the Bible.
Definition: 1) show-piece, figure, imagination, image, idol, picture 1a) show-piece, carved figure (of idols) 1b) imagination, conceit
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: conceit, image(-ry), picture, [idiom] wish. See also: Leviticus 26:1; Proverbs 18:11; Psalms 73:7.
Study Notes — Proverbs 18:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 18:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:11
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 18:11
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 18:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:11
- Sermons on Proverbs 18:11
Context — The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
9Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
11A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.
12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. 13He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 10:15 | The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. |
| 2 | Psalms 52:5–7 | Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin; He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah The righteous will see and fear; they will mock the evildoer, saying, “Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.” |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 7:12 | For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner. |
| 4 | Psalms 49:6–9 | 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, that he should live on forever and not see decay. |
| 5 | Luke 12:19–21 | Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ 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?’ This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 32:31 | For their rock is not like our Rock, even our enemies concede. |
| 7 | Psalms 62:10–11 | Place no trust in extortion, or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: that power belongs to God, |
| 8 | Proverbs 11:4 | Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. |
| 9 | Job 31:24–25 | If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security, if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much, |
Proverbs 18:11 Summary
This verse means that rich people often think their money will keep them safe, like a strong city with high walls. However, this sense of security is not always real and can be an illusion. As believers, we are called to trust in God's name as our strong tower, not in our own wealth or abilities, as seen in Proverbs 18:10. By trusting in God, we can find true safety and security, unlike the fleeting nature of wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that a rich man's wealth is his fortified city?
This means that the rich often rely on their wealth for security and protection, just like a fortified city provides safety from external threats, as seen in Proverbs 10:15 where it says that wealth is a strong city for the rich.
Is it wrong to be rich according to this verse?
No, the verse is not condemning wealth itself, but rather highlighting the tendency of the rich to trust in their wealth instead of God, as warned in 1 Timothy 6:17 where it says not to put hope in wealth.
How does this verse compare to the previous one about the name of the Lord being a strong tower?
The contrast between Proverbs 18:10 and Proverbs 18:11 shows that while the rich may trust in their wealth, the righteous trust in the name of the Lord for their safety and security, as seen in Psalm 20:7 where it says some trust in chariots and horses but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
What is the implication of wealth being like a high wall in the imagination?
This implies that the sense of security provided by wealth is often an illusion and exists primarily in the mind of the rich person, much like the fleeting nature of wealth described in Proverbs 27:24.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I trust in my own resources instead of God's provision and protection?
- How can I balance the responsibility of managing wealth with the command to trust in God?
- What are some ways that I can practically trust in the name of the Lord as my strong tower, as mentioned in Proverbs 18:10?
- What does this verse reveal about the heart of a rich person, and how can I guard my own heart against similar tendencies?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:11
The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city,.... In which he dwells, over which he presides; in which he places his trust and confidence, and thinks himself safe from every enemy and from all trouble:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:11
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:11
He trusts to his wealth, as that which will either enable him to resist his enemy, or at least purchase his favour.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:11
Proverbs 18:11 The rich man’ s wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. Ver. 11. The rich man’ s wealth is his strong city.] It is hard to have wealth, and not to trust to it. But wealth was never true to those that trusted it; there is an utter uncertainty, a nonentity, an impotence to help in the evil day, an impossibility to stretch to eternity, unless it be to destroy the owner for ever. A wicked man beaten out of earthly comforts is as a naked man in a storm, and an unarmed man in the field, or a ship tossed in the sea without an anchor, which presently dasheth upon rocks, or falleth upon quicksands. Totam igitur anchoram sacram figamus in Deo, qui solus nec potest, nec vult fallere; Cast we anchor therefore upon God, who neither can nor will fail us, saith a learned interpreter. And as an high wall in his own conceit.] It is "conceit" only that sets a price upon these outward comforts, and bears men in hand, that thereby, as by a high wall, they shall not only be secured, but secreted in their lewdness, from the eyes of God and men. But what said the oracle to bloody Phocas? Though thou set up thy walls as high as heaven, sin lies at the foundation, and all will out - yea, all be overturned. εανυψοιςτατειχηεωςουρανουενδοντοκακον, &c. - Cedr.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:11
Verse 11. The rich man's wealth] See Proverbs 10:15.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 18:11
11. his strong city] There is a sense in which it is really so (Proverbs 10:15); but a sense also in which, in designed contrast to the “strong tower” of the preceding verse, it is only so in his own opinion. conceit] i.e., imagination, as R.V.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 18:11
What the name of the Lord is to the righteous Proverbs 18:10, that wealth is to the rich. He flees to it for refuge as to a strong city; but it is so only “in his own conceit” or imagination.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:11
11. Man’s wealth… strong city — This and the preceding proverb may have been placed in juxtaposition to exhibit the different objects of trust which men have. One makes Jehovah his fortress; another trusts in uncertain riches.
Sermons on Proverbs 18:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Read or Get Out of the Ministry by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of continuous learning for ministers, drawing on wisdom from figures like Joseph H. Smith and John Wesley, who advocated for reading widely to e |
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He That Handleth a Matter Wisely Shall Find Good by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that wisdom is essential for navigating life effectively, as it allows individuals to achieve their true potential and find genuine fulfillment. He compare |
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Wisdom Justified of Her Children by Charles Finney | Charles Finney explores the concept of wisdom as it relates to the teachings of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, emphasizing that true wisdom is recognized and justified by those |
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Easter Conference 1979-02 by Aldy Fam Fanous | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prayer and the filling of the Holy Spirit in the church. He uses the example of Elijah, who prayed and saw great miracles |
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Special Meetings 01 God's Thoughts by John W. Bramhall | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of sowing the seeds of the word of God in the world. He recalls an incident from his past where he distributed tracts during |
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Fire for God | What Did Jesus Do by Manuel Brambila | In this sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of relying on God's strength and not our own. He encourages the audience to trust in the message of the gospel rather than the |
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Five Solemn Facts by Oswald J. Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes five solemn facts about salvation. Firstly, not everyone will be saved, and the listeners are urged to reflect on their own standing. Secondl |