Proverbs 19:17 — Word Study
WLCמַלְוֵ֣ה יְ֭הוָה ח֣וֹנֵֽן דָּ֑ל וּ֝גְמֻל֗וֹ יְשַׁלֶּם־ לֽוֹ׃
BSAKindnesschânan [showing favor, being gracious] to the poordal [needy, weak, and destitute] is a loanlâvâh [lending, giving with expectation of repayment] to the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the divine Redeemer] and He will repayshâlam▸ [recompense, reward]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַלְוֵ֣ה | [is] lending to | Verb, Hiphil, participle (active) masculine singular common |
| יְ֭הוָה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| ח֣וֹנֵֽן | [one who] shows favor to | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| דָּ֑ל | a poor [person] | Adj |
| וּ֝גְמֻל֗וֹ | and recompense his | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| יְשַׁלֶּם־ | he will repay | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לֽוֹ׃ | to him | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. |
| KJV | He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. |
| ASV | He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again. |
| YLT | Whoso is lending [to] Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him. |
| WEB | He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him. |
| BBE | He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward. |
Where they part company is מַלְוֵ֣ה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a conjunction and another main clause, creating a clear connection between kindness and divine repayment.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbלָוָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 19:17
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom on Kindness and Generositygenerated
Proverbs 19:17 teaches that showing kindness to those in need is not just an act of compassion but also a spiritual investment. This verse is part of a broader discourse on moral behavior, emphasizing the importance of helping others, particularly the poor and destitute, as a reflection of one's character and relationship with God. The surrounding verses reinforce the value of obedience and discipline, contributing to a wise and righteous life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 14:21 | He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor. |
| 2 | Proverbs 28:8–27 | He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 12:6 | Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 11:1 | Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. |
| 5 | Proverbs 11:24–25 | One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַלְוֵ֣ה, mal.Vehgenerated
The word מַלְוֵ֣ה (malveh) is a participle from the verb לָוָה (lavah), meaning to lend or borrow. It implies a sense of obligation and connection, suggesting that lending to the poor is a significant act of charity and duty.
This term is used in a financial context but carries a deeper spiritual meaning in this verse. Lending to the poor is framed as a loan to the LORD, indicating that acts of kindness are recognized and rewarded by God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb ח֣וֹנֵֽן (cho.nen), meaning 'shows favor', governs the sentence, with the subject דָּ֑ל (dal, 'the poor') as its object. The structure emphasizes the action of showing kindness as central to the verse's message.
The sentence is straightforward, with clauses clearly delineating the relationship between kindness to the poor and the divine repayment promised by the LORD.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, מַלְוֵ֣ה is rendered as δανίζει (danizei), which also means 'to lend'. This choice reflects a direct translation of the concept of lending, maintaining the financial metaphor while emphasizing the relational aspect of the transaction.
The use of θεῷ (Theo), meaning 'to God', in the LXX highlights the spiritual significance of the act, aligning with the Hebrew understanding of divine recompense.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 19:17 teaches that being kind to the poor is like lending to God, who will repay you for your generosity. This verse encourages us to help those in need, reminding us that our kindness is valued and rewarded by the LORD.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Lending to the LORD means that acts of kindness towards the poor are seen as investments in God's favor, promising divine recompense.
Helping the poor reflects one's character and obedience to God's commands, highlighting the importance of compassion in a righteous life.
The verse assures that God will repay those who show kindness, indicating that acts of charity are recognized and rewarded by Him.
The term 'poor' encompasses those who are needy and destitute, emphasizing the responsibility of the community to care for the vulnerable.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I demonstrate kindness to those in need in my community?
- What does it mean for me to lend to the LORD through my actions?
- In what ways have I experienced God's provision in response to my generosity?
- How can I encourage others to show compassion and help the poor?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the importance of kindness and generosity, highlighting the spiritual implications of helping the poor.
If you help a poor person in the Name of the Lord, you are making a gift and at the same time granting a loan. You are making a gift because you have no expectation of being reimbursed by that poor person.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 19 →
Let us lend to God almsgiving so we may receive from him clemency in exchange. Oh, how wise is this statement! “Whoever has mercy upon the poor lends to God.” Why did he not say,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 19 →
The lesson, therefore, which he teaches us is love for the poor, which is precious in the sight of God. Do you feel pleasure in being praised when you have any friends or relatives feasting with you? I tell you of something far better:…Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 19 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 19:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHe that hath pity unto the poor lendeth unto the Lord,.... A man, whose heart is full of compassion to the poor, and whose hands distribute to their necessities, from a true principle of love and
Read John Gill on Proverbs 19 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryHe that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 19 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLendeth unto the Lord; who takes what is done to them as done to himself, because it is done to them whom God, as to this particular, hath put in his own stead, to be his receivers, and whom God hath in a peculiar manner commended to the care and charity of all other men.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 19 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Ver. 17. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth, &c.] This is a second fruit of shaking off sloth, and working with the hands the thing that is good, that one may have to give to him that needeth. He doth not give it, but lend it; God accepts it both as δωρονκαιδανεισμα, as a gift, and a loan, saith Basil. Nay, he lends it upon usury, Faeneratur Domino; and that to the Lord, who both binds himself to repay, and gives us security for it under his own hand here. He will pay him again to be sure of it - ιשׁμν in the Hebrew tense Piel - he will fully and abundantly repay him…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 19 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(17) Lendeth unto the Lord.—Who “for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9), and Who regards all done to one of his poor brethren as done unto Himself (Matthew 25:40).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 19 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 17. Lendeth unto the Lord] O what a word is this! God makes himself debtor for every thing that is given to the poor! Who would not advance much upon such credit? God will pay it again. And in no case has he ever forfeited his word.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 19 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17. that which he hath given] Better, his deed, A.V. marg.; or his good deed, R.V. Comp. Matthew 25:34-40.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 19 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleNote the original greatness of the thought. We give to the poor. Have we lost our gift? No, what we gave, we have lent to One who will repay with usury. Compare the yet nobler truth of our Lord’s teaching Matthew 25:40.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 19 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord, and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.
Tyndale line
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 upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and his good deed will he pay him again.
He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
He that hath mercy vpon the poore, lendeth vnto the Lord: and the Lord will recompense him that which he hath giuen.
Strictly literal
He that is gracious to the poor lendeth unto Jehovah; and what he hath bestowed will he repay unto him.
Whoso is lending [to] Jehovah is favouring the poor, And his deed He repayeth to him.
Whoever is lending [to] YHWH is favoring the poor, || And He repays his deed to him.
He lendeth unto the Lord that is liberal to the poor, and his good deed will he repay unto him.
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to Yahweh and he will repay him for what he has done.
From the Latin
He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him.
Simplified
If you're kind to the poor, you're lending to the Lord, and he will repay you well for what you've done.
He who has pity on the poor gives to the Lord, and the Lord will give him his reward.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in their wording, with six of the seven words matching. This consistency underscores the shared understanding of the verse's message across these ancient texts.
מַלְוֵ֣ה יְ֭הוָה ח֣וֹנֵֽן דָּ֑ל וּ֝גְמֻל֗וֹ יְשַׁלֶּם־ לֽוֹ׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 19:17
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
לָוָה (lavah) is a Hebrew verb with two main meanings: to join or be joined, and to borrow or lend. It can imply a sense of unity or obligation in relationships, as well as financial transactions. The word is built from the idea of twining or uniting, and it appears in various forms, such as joining oneself or causing someone to borrow.
[לָוָה] join (intr.), be joined
Qal (late) be joined to, attend
Niph. join oneself or be joined unto
base
[לָוָה] vb. borrow
Qal borrow
Hiph. cause to borrow, i.e. lend to
base
H3867a לָוָה join intr., be joined H3867b לָוָה borrow
3867 lavah law-vaw'
a primitive root; properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication)
to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form of obligation)
or (caus.) to lend:--abide with, borrow(-er), cleave, join
(self), lend(-er).
לָוָה (la.vah) — to join.
1) to join, be joined
1a) (Qal) to join, be joined, attend
1b) (Niphal) to join oneself to, be joined unto
לָוָה (la.vah) — to borrow.
1) to borrow, lend
1a) (Qal) to borrow
1b) (Hiphil) to cause to borrow, lend to
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular commonHVhrmsc
→ General scriptures concerning Ex 22:25-27; Le 25:35-37; De 15:1-11; 23:19,20; 24:6,10-13,17; Ne 5:1-13; Ps 37:25,26; 112:5; Pr 19:17; 22:7; 28:8; Isa 24:1,2; Eze 18:13; Mt 5:42; Lu 6:34,35
→ See BORROWING
→ See INTEREST
→ See MONEY
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
חָנַן (chanan) is a Hebrew verb meaning to show favor or be gracious. It encompasses various forms, including being pitied, directing favor, and seeking favor through imploration. The word can also mean to be loathsome, as noted in Job 19:17. The lexicons provide a range of uses, primarily focusing on kindness and mercy.
חָנַן vb. shew favour, be gracious
Qal favour, shew favour
Niph. be pitied
Po‛el direct favour to
Hoph. be shewn favour, consideration
H2603a חָנַן shew favour, be gracious .favour, shew favour
. be pitied
.direct favour to
. be shewn favour, consideration
. seek or implore favour
H2603b חָנַן be loathsome
2603 chanan khaw-nan'
a primitive root (compare 2583); properly, to bend or stoop
in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to
implore (i.e. move to favor by petition):--beseech, X fair,
(be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant
(gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on,
upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, X very.
see HEBREW for 02583
חָנַן (cha.nan) — be gracious.
1) to be gracious, show favour, pity
1a) (Qal) to show favour, be gracious
1b) (Niphal) to be pitied
1c) (Piel) to make gracious, make favourable, be gracious
1d) (Poel) to direct favour to, have mercy on
1e) (Hophal) to be shown favour, be shown consideration
1f) (Hithpael) to seek favour, implore favour
חָנַן (cha.nan) — be loathsome.
to be loathsome
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
fa'-ver (chen, ratson, with other Hebrew words; charis): Means generally good will, acceptance, and the benefits flowing from these; in older usage it meant also the countenance, hence, appearance. Alternating in English Versions of the Bible with "grace," it is used chiefly of man, but sometimes also of God (Ge 18:3; 30:27; 39:21; Ex 3:21; 2Sa 15:25, "in the eyes of Yahweh," etc.). It is used perhaps in the sense of "countenance" in Pr 31:30, "Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain" (the King James Version), where for "favor" the Revised Version (British and American) has "grace"; the reference is to external appearance. "Favored" is used in the sense of "appearance" in…
→ See GOD, GRACE OF
The Hebrew word דַּל (dal) is built from the root meaning 'dangling' or 'weak.' It covers a range of meanings including low, weak, poor, and thin, and is particularly noted in wisdom literature and poetry. The entries consistently emphasize its connotations of neediness and weakness.
דַּל adj. low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)
base
H1800 דַּל low, weak, poor, thin (especially common in Wisd. lit. and poet.)
1800 dal dal
from 1809; properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or
thin:--lean, needy, poor (man), weaker.
see HEBREW for 01809
דַּל (dal) — poor.
low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low
Adj — AdjHAamsa
גְּמוּל (gmuwl) refers to dealing, recompense, or benefit, encompassing acts of good or ill and implying service or requital. It is built from the root meaning treatment or act, and covers concepts of reward and deserving. The term appears in contexts related to how one has been treated or compensated.
גְּמוּל n.m. dealing, recompense, benefit
base
H1576 גְּמוּל dealing, recompense, benefit
1576 gmuwl ghem-ool'
from 1580; treatment, i.e. an act (of good or ill); by
implication, service or requital:--+ as hast served, benefit,
desert, deserving, that which he hath given, recompense,
reward.
see HEBREW for 01580
גְּמוּל (ge.mul) — recompense.
1) dealing, recompense, benefit
1a) dealing (of one's hand)
1b) recompense
1c) benefit
HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
שָׁלֵם (shalam) is a Hebrew root meaning to be complete or sound, covering a range of meanings from finishing or restoring to making peace. It can refer to being uninjured, completing a task, or making recompense. The verb also has a denominative form indicating a covenant of peace, suggesting relationships of harmony and safety.
[שָׁלֵם] 103 vb. be complete, sound
Qal
be complete, finished, ended
be sound, uninjured
Pi.
complete, finish, temple
make safe
make whole or good, restore
make good, i.e. pay, vows
requite, recompense, reward
Pu.
be performed, of vow
be repaid, requited
Hiph.
complete, perform
make an end of
base
[שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace
Qal be at peace
Pu. Pt. one in covt. of peace
Hiph.
make peace with
cause to be at peace
Hoph. live at peace with
base
H7999a שָׁלֵם be complete, sound .. be complete, finished, ended
. be sound, uninjured
. . complete, finish, temple
. make safe
. make whole or good, restore
. make good, i.e. pay, vows
. requite, recompense, reward
. . be performed, of vow
. be repaid, requited
. . complete, perform
. make an end of
H7999b [שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace .be at peace
. Pt. one in covt. of peace
. . make peace with
. cause to be at peace
. live at peace with
7999 shalam shaw-lam'
a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate);
figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by
implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in
various applications):--make amends, (make an) end, finish,
full, give again, make good, (re-)pay (again), (make) (to) (be
at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make)
prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution,
restore, reward, X surely.
שָׁלֵם (sa.lem) — to complete.
1) to be complete, be sound
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended
1a2) to be sound, be uninjured
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to complete, finish
1b2) to make safe
1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation
1b4) to make good, pay
1b5) to requite, recompense, reward
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be performed
1c2) to be repaid, be requited
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to complete, perform
1d2) to make an end of
Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)
שָׁלַם (sha.lam) — to ally.
1) to be in a covenant of peace, be at peace
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be at peace
1a2) peaceful one (participle)
1b) (Pual) one in covenant of peace (participle)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make peace with
1c2) to cause to be at peace
1d) (Hophal) to live in peace
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singularHVpi3ms
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms