Proverbs 12 · Verse 11

Proverbs 12:11

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
Proverbs 12:11, King James Version

Proverbs 12:11 in other translations

BSBThe one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
WEBHe who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.
ASVHe that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons is void of understanding.
YLTWhoso is tilling the ground is satisfied with bread, And whoso is pursuing vanities is lacking heart,
DARBYHe that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he that followeth the worthless is void of understanding.
BBEHe who does work on his land will not be short of bread; but he who goes after foolish men is without sense.
WebsterHe that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

What does Proverbs 12:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
11. The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle (Pr 6:32; 7:7).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 11 He that tilleth his land - God's blessing will be in the labor of the honest agriculturist. But he that followeth vain persons - He who, while he should be cultivating his ground, preparing for a future crop, or reaping his harvest, associates with fowlers, coursers of hares, hunters of foxes, or those engaged in any champaign amusements, is void of understanding; and I have known several such come to beggary. To this verse the Septuagint add the following clause: 'ov estin en oinwn diatribaiv, en toiv eautou ocurwmasi kataleiqei atimian. "He who is a boon companion in banquets, shall leave dishonor in his own fortresses." This has been copied by the Vulgate and the Arabic. That is The man who frequents the ale-house enriches that, while he impoverishes his own habitation.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
It is men's wisdom to mind their business, and follow an honest calling. But it is folly to neglect business; and the grace of God teaches men to disdain nothing but sin.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 12:11 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

עֹבֵ֣ד'o.Ved[one who] worksH5647
אַ֭דְמָתוֹ'ad.ma.toland hisH127
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע\־yis.ba'-he will be satisfiedH7646
לָ֑חֶםLa.chemfoodH3899
וּמְרַדֵּ֖ףu.me.ra.Defand [one who] pursuesH7291
רֵיקִ֣יםrei.Kimworthless thingsH7386
חֲסַר\־cha.sar-[is] lacking ofH2638
לֵֽב\׃LevheartH3820

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 12:11

  • Proverbs 28:19

    He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

  • Proverbs 14:23

    In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

    And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

  • Psalms 128:2

    For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

  • Ephesians 4:28

    Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:8

    Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

  • Proverbs 9:6

    Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

  • Proverbs 14:4

    Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

  • Proverbs 7:7

    And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

  • Proverbs 13:20

    He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

  • Genesis 3:19

    In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • Proverbs 4:14-15

    Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
tilleth.
13:23; 14:4,23; 27:27; 28:19; Ge 3:19; Ps 128:2; Eph 4:28
1Th 4:11,12; 2Th 3:8
he that followeth.
1:10-19; 4:14,15; 6:32; 7:7; 9:6,13,16; 13:20; Jud 9:4; Ps 26:4
Jon 2:8; Tit 1:10,11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 12:10

    A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

  • Proverbs 12:11

    He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

  • Proverbs 12:12

    The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

Read all of Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12:11 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que labra su tierra, se hartará de pan: mas el que sigue los vagabundos es falto de entendimiento.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Celui qui laboure sa terre sera rassasié de pain, mais celui qui court après les fainéants est dépourvu de sens.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer sein Land bebaut, wird mit Brot gesättigt werden; wer aber nichtigen Dingen nachjagt, ist unverständig.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui operatur terram suam satiabitur panibus; qui autem sectatur otium stultissimus est. Qui suavis est in vini demorationibus, in suis munitionibus relinquit contumeliam.