Proverbs 13 · Verse 8

Proverbs 13:8

The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
Proverbs 13:8, King James Version

Proverbs 13:8 in other translations

BSBRiches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.
WEBThe ransom of a man’s life is his riches, but the poor hear no threats.
ASVThe ransom of a man’s life is his riches; But the poor heareth no threatening.
YLTThe ransom of a man's life are his riches, And the poor hath not heard rebuke.
DARBYThe ransom of a man's life is his riches; but the indigent heareth not rebuke.
BBEA man will give his wealth in exchange for his life; but the poor will not give ear to sharp words.
WebsterThe ransom of a man's life is his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

What does Proverbs 13:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. Riches save some from punishment, while others suffer because they will not heed the rebuke of sloth, which makes and keeps them poor.

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 The ransom of a man's life - Those who have riches have often much trouble with them; as they had much trouble to get them, so they have much trouble to keep them. In despotic countries, a rich man is often accused of some capital crime, and to save his life, though he may be quite innocent, is obliged to give up his riches; but the poor, in such countries, are put to no trouble.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Great riches often tempt to violence against those that possess them; but the poor are free from such perils.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 13:8 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.

כֹּ֣פֶרKo.fer[the] ransom ofH3724
נֶֽפֶשׁ\־ne.fesh-[the] life ofH5315
אִ֣ישׁ'isha personH376
עָשְׁר֑וֹa.she.Ro[is] wealth hisH6239
וְ֝רָ֗שׁve.Rashand a poor [person]H7326
לֹא\־lo'-notH3808
שָׁמַ֥עsha.Ma'he hearsH8085
גְּעָרָֽה\׃ge.'a.Raha threatH1606

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

Cross references for Proverbs 13:8

  • Matthew 16:26

    For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

  • 1 Peter 1:18-19

    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

  • 2 Kings 24:14

    And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

  • Psalms 49:6-10

    They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. …

  • 2 Kings 25:12

    But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.

  • Zephaniah 3:12

    I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.

  • Jeremiah 39:10

    But Nebuzar–adan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

  • Job 2:4

    And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

  • Exodus 21:30

    If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

  • Proverbs 6:35

    He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

  • Jeremiah 41:8

    But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
ransom.
6:35; Ex 21:30; Job 2:4; Ps 49:6-10; Jer 41:8; Mt 16:26
1Pe 1:18,19
the poor.
2Ki 24:14; 25:12; Jer 39:10; Zep 3:12

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

Context

  • Proverbs 13:7

    There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

  • Proverbs 13:8

    The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

  • Proverbs 13:9

    The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

Read all of Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		La redención de la vida del hombre son sus riquezas: pero el pobre no oye censuras.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		La rançon pour la vie d’un homme, c’est sa richesse; mais le pauvre n’entend pas la réprimande.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Lösegeld für das Leben eines Mannes ist sein Reichtum, aber der Arme hört keine Drohung.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Redemptio animæ viri divitiæ suæ; qui autem pauper est, increpationem non sustinet.