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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but <i>when</i> the desire cometh, <i>it is</i> a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But <i>when</i> the desire comes, <i>it is</i> a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hope delayed makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Delayed hope makes the heart sick, but fulfilled desire is a tree of life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Not getting what you want can break your heart, but a wish that comes true is a life-giving tree. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Delayed hope makes one sick at heart, but a fulfilled longing is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When hope is crushed, the heart is crushed, but a wish come true fills you with joy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Delayed hope makes the heart ill, but fulfilled longing is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is like a tree of life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Hope prolonged is making the heart sick, "" And a tree of life [is] the coming desire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Hope prolonged is making the heart sick, And a tree of life is the coming desire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Hope being forgotten afflicts the heart: and desire coming, a tree of life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul: desire when it cometh is a tree of life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Hope, when it is delayed, afflicts the soul. The arrival of the desired is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a wish fulfilled is a tree of life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who is willing to help; more blessed is he than he who merely rests in hope, as a tree of life he bears fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A man who begins to help is better than he that props up with hope, and the tree of life brings hope.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Better is he that begins to help heartily, than he that promises and leads <i>another</i> to hope: for a good desire is a tree of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/13-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2435" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/13.htm">A Father's Discipline</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8431.htm" title="8431: tō·w·ḥe·leṯ (N-fsc) -- A hope. From yachal; expectation.">Hope</a> <a href="/hebrew/4900.htm" title="4900: mə·muš·šā·ḵāh (V-Pual-Prtcpl-fs) -- To draw, drag. A primitive root; to draw, used in a great variety of applications.">deferred</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lêḇ (N-ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">makes the heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/2470.htm" title="2470: ma·ḥă·lāh- (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence to be weak, sick, afflicted; or to grieve, make sick; also to stroke, entreat.">sick,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8378.htm" title="8378: ta·’ă·wāh (N-fs) -- A desire. From 'avah; a longing; by implication, a delight.">but desire</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ḇā·’āh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">fulfilled</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: wə·‘êṣ (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">is a tree</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·yîm (N-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">of life.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>He who despises instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-24.htm">Romans 8:24-25</a></span><br />For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? / But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-1.htm">Hebrews 11:1</a></span><br />Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/42-5.htm">Psalm 42:5</a></span><br />Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-81.htm">Psalm 119:81</a></span><br />My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-25.htm">Lamentations 3:25-26</a></span><br />The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. / It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-31.htm">Isaiah 40:31</a></span><br />But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-3.htm">1 Peter 1:3-4</a></span><br />Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, / and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-16.htm">2 Corinthians 4:16-18</a></span><br />Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/130-5.htm">Psalm 130:5-6</a></span><br />I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. / My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Jeremiah 29:11</a></span><br />For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-3.htm">Romans 5:3-5</a></span><br />Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/27-13.htm">Psalm 27:13-14</a></span><br />Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. / Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/1-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:3</a></span><br />and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-11.htm">Hebrews 6:11-12</a></span><br />We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. / Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-7.htm">Job 14:7-9</a></span><br />For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail. / If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil, / at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.</p><p class="hdg">hope</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/42-1.htm">Psalm 42:1-3</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/69-3.htm">Psalm 69:3</a></b></br> I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-81.htm">Psalm 119:81-83</a></b></br> CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: <i>but</i> I hope in thy word… </p><p class="hdg">when</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-19.htm">Proverbs 13:19</a></b></br> The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but <i>it is</i> abomination to fools to depart from evil.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Genesis 21:6,7</a></b></br> And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, <i>so that</i> all that hear will laugh with me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/46-30.htm">Genesis 46:30</a></b></br> And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou <i>art</i> yet alive.</p><p class="hdg">a tree</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-18.htm">Proverbs 3:18</a></b></br> She <i>is</i> a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy <i>is every one</i> that retaineth her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Proverbs 11:30</a></b></br> The fruit of the righteous <i>is</i> a tree of life; and he that winneth souls <i>is</i> wise.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Revelation 22:2</a></b></br> In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, <i>was there</i> the tree of life, which bare twelve <i>manner of</i> fruits, <i>and</i> yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree <i>were</i> for the healing of the nations.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/34-19.htm">Deferred</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-21.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-14.htm">Fulfilled</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-25.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-23.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/psalms/119-123.htm">Longing</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-11.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-7.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-7.htm">Making</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-14.htm">Prolonged</a> <a href="/psalms/107-17.htm">Sick</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/psalms/119-82.htm">Weariness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/19-11.htm">Deferred</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-19.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-19.htm">Fulfilled</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-10.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-26.htm">Hope</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-19.htm">Longing</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-13.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-33.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-9.htm">Making</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-2.htm">Prolonged</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-35.htm">Sick</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-15.htm">Weariness</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/13-1.htm">a scoffer does not listen to rebuke</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Hope deferred makes the heart sick</b><br>This phrase captures the emotional and spiritual toll of unfulfilled expectations. In biblical times, hope was often tied to God's promises and the anticipation of His intervention. The Israelites, for example, experienced deferred hope during their long wait for deliverance from Egypt and later during the Babylonian exile. The heart, in Hebrew thought, represents the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. When hope is delayed, it can lead to despair and spiritual malaise, as seen in the lamentations of the prophets. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul speaks of the groaning of creation awaiting redemption (<a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22-25</a>).<p><b>but desire fulfilled is a tree of life</b><br>The "tree of life" is a powerful biblical symbol, first appearing in the Garden of Eden (<a href="/genesis/2-9.htm">Genesis 2:9</a>). It represents eternal life and the fullness of God's blessings. In this context, a fulfilled desire brings rejuvenation and vitality, akin to the life-giving properties of the tree. This imagery is also found in <a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Revelation 22:2</a>, where the tree of life appears in the New Jerusalem, symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. The phrase suggests that when God fulfills our righteous desires, it leads to spiritual renewal and joy. This fulfillment can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate source of life and satisfaction for believers (<a href="/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human nature and divine wisdom are reflected in this verse.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is rooted in ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of spiritual and practical life.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/tree_of_life.htm">Tree of Life</a></b><br>A symbolic element in biblical literature, representing eternal life and divine blessing, first mentioned in the Garden of Eden.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_hope.htm">The Nature of Hope</a></b><br>Hope is a powerful motivator in the Christian life. When delayed, it can lead to discouragement and spiritual malaise. Understanding the nature of hope helps believers navigate periods of waiting.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_deferred_hope.htm">The Impact of Deferred Hope</a></b><br>Recognize that deferred hope can lead to emotional and spiritual struggles. It's important to seek God's presence and community support during these times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_and_joy.htm">Fulfillment and Joy</a></b><br>When desires align with God's will and are fulfilled, they bring life and joy, akin to the "tree of life." This fulfillment is a foretaste of eternal life with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_timing.htm">Trusting God's Timing</a></b><br>Trust in God's perfect timing is crucial. His plans are often beyond our understanding, but they are always for our good and His glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultivating_patience_and_faith.htm">Cultivating Patience and Faith</a></b><br>Develop patience and faith through prayer, scripture study, and fellowship. These practices help sustain hope and trust in God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_delayed_hope_affect_emotions.htm">How does delayed hope affect one's emotional state?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_fulfilled_hope_sometimes_disappoint.htm">How does Proverbs 13:12’s promise of fulfilled hope account for instances where achieving long-desired goals leads to disappointment? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jesus_currently_living.htm">How does delayed hope affect one's emotional state?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_the_bible_relevant_today.htm">How is the Bible relevant to my life today?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">A tree of life.--</span>See above, on <a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm" title="The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that wins souls is wise.">Proverbs 11:30</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.</span> Delay in the accomplishment of some much-desired good occasions sinking of the spirits, languor, and despondence. Many refer this sentence to the impatient longing for heaven which holy men feel, such as we may read in 'De Imitatione,' 3:48, 49, and in the hymns, "For thee, O dear, dear country;" and "We've no abiding city," etc. And St. Paul can exclaim (<a href="/romans/7-24.htm">Romans 7:24</a>), "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (comp. <a href="/romans/8-23.htm">Romans 8:23</a>; <a href="/philippians/1-23.htm">Philippians 1:23</a>). Septuagint, "Better is he who taketh in hand to aid with all his heart, than he who promises and raises hopes" (comp. <a href="/james/2-15.htm">James 2:15, 16</a>). <span class="cmt_word">When the desire cometh</span> - when the object of the longing is obtained - <span class="cmt_word">it is a tree of life</span> (<a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Proverbs 11:30</a>); there are then no longer languor and despondence, but strength and refreshment and vigorous action. Septuagint, "A good desire is a tree of life." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/13-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Hope</span><br /><span class="heb">תּוֹחֶ֣לֶת</span> <span class="translit">(tō·w·ḥe·leṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8431.htm">Strong's 8431: </a> </span><span class="str2">Expectation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">deferred</span><br /><span class="heb">מְ֭מֻשָּׁכָה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·muš·šā·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4900.htm">Strong's 4900: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw, drag</span><br /><br /><span class="word">makes the heart</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(lêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sick,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַחֲלָה־</span> <span class="translit">(ma·ḥă·lāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2470.htm">Strong's 2470: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be weak or sick</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but desire</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּאֲוָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ta·’ă·wāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8378.htm">Strong's 8378: </a> </span><span class="str2">A longing, a delight</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fulfilled</span><br /><span class="heb">בָאָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is a tree</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵ֥ץ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘êṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tree, trees, wood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of life.</span><br /><span class="heb">חַ֝יִּ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥay·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/13-12.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/13-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 13:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 13:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/13-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 13:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 13:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>