Proverbs 11:25
What does Proverbs 11:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Proverbs 11:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Proverbs 11:25 means
This proverb highlights the counterintuitive principle that generosity leads to personal enrichment, not impoverishment. The "liberal soul" refers to someone who is open-handed and giving, particularly with their resources and kindness. Such an individual will "be made rich," not necessarily in material wealth, but in spiritual blessings, favor, and genuine well-being. The agricultural imagery of "he who waters shall be watered himself" reinforces this idea: just as a farmer who irrigates his fields ensures his own harvest, so too does a giver receive blessings in return. It emphasizes that benevolence is a cycle of reciprocity, reflecting God's principle of sowing and reaping.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who gives blessing will be made fat, but the curser will himself be cursed.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A liberal soul is made fat, And whoso is watering, he also is watered.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The soul that blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Context
Proverbs 11 generally contrasts the righteous with the wicked, detailing the outcomes of their respective behaviors. This specific verse (11:25) is nestled within a series of proverbs that extol wisdom, integrity, and particularly, generosity, while condemning arrogance, deceit, and selfishness. It immediately follows verses discussing the benefits of righteousness and precedes verses that further elaborate on the blessings of the upright and the downfall of the wicked. The speaker is Solomon, imparting timeless wisdom to a general audience, likely his son, and this verse functions as a concise summary of the chapter's broader theme: that a life lived in accordance with God's principles, especially marked by giving, leads to flourishing and favor.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 58:7
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
- Isaiah 32:8
But the noble deviseth noble things; and in noble things shall he continue.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6
But thisI say, He that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
- Job 31:16
If I have withheld the poor fromtheirdesire, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
- Job 29:13
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
- Proverbs 28:27
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
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