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Proverbs 10:15

10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

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The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

10:16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

What does Proverbs 10:15 mean?

Proverbs 10:15 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include עָשִׁיר (ʻâshîyr), הוֹן (hôwn), עֹז (ʻôz). It connects to 9 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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The
rich
man'sעָשִׁירʻâshîyr/aw-sheer'/H6223rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
wealthהוֹןhôwn/hone/H1952wealth; by implication, enough
is
his
strongעֹזʻôz/oze/H5797strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
city:קִרְיָהqiryâh/kir-yaw'/H7151building; a city
the
destructionמְחִתָּהmᵉchittâh/mekh-it-taw'/H4288properly, a dissolution; concretely, a ruin, or (abstractly) consternation
of
the
poorדַּלdal/dal/H1800properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin
is
their
poverty.רֵישׁrêysh/raysh/H7389poverty

Commentary on Proverbs 10:15

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 10:15
is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. This may be taken two ways:—1. As a reason why we should be diligent in our business, that we may avoid that sinking dispiriting uneasiness which attends poverty, and may enjoy the benefit and comfort which those have that are beforehand in the world. Taking pains is really the way to make ourselves and our families easy. Or, rather, 2. As a representation of the common mistakes both of rich and poor, concerning their outward condition. (1.) Rich people think themselves happy because they are rich; but it is their mistake: The rich man's wealth is, in his own conceit, his strong city, whereas the worst of evils it is too weak and utterly insufficient to protect them from. It will prove that they are not so safe as they imagine; nay, their wealth may perhaps expose them. (2.) Poor people think themselves undone because they are poor; but it is their mistake: The destruction of the poor is their poverty; it sinks their spirits, and ruins all their comforts; whereas a man may live very comfortably, though he has but a little to live on, if he be but content, and keep a good conscience, and live by faith. 16 The labour of the righteous

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Joshua 5:1

And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

2 Chronicles 32:21

And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. slew: Heb. made him fall

Proverbs 2:5

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2:10

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;

Isaiah 13:6

Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah 24:21

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. punish: Heb. visit upon

Zephaniah 3:6

I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. towers: or, corners

Revelation 6:15

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

Revelation 19:17

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

Topics

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 10:15.

Proverbs 18:11

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

Exodus 30:15

The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. give more: Heb. multiply give less: Heb. diminish

Proverbs 19:4

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

Proverbs 22:16

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Proverbs 28:11

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. own: Heb. eyes

Proverbs 28:8

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. unjust: Heb. by increase

Ruth 3:10

And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 10:15 say?

Proverbs 10:15 (King James Version) reads: "The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty."

Is Proverbs 10:15 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 10:15 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 10:15, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Proverbs 10:15
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