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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/6-29.htm" title="Proverbs 6:29">◄</a> Proverbs 6:30 <a href="/proverbs/6-31.htm" title="Proverbs 6:31">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.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/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Men</i> do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>People</i> do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>People</i> do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Men do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Men do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>Men</i> do not despise a thief if he steals To fill himself when he is hungry;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />People do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />People don’t despise the thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />People don&#8217t despise the thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy himself when he is hungry:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We don't put up with thieves, not even with one who steals for something to eat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />People do not despise a thief who is hungry when he steals to satisfy his appetite,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />People don't despise a thief if he steals food when he is hungry; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A thief isn't despised if he steals to meet his needs when he is hungry,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />People do not despise a thief when he steals to fulfill his need when he is hungry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Men do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Men do not despise a thief, if he stealeth to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Men don’t despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They do not despise the thief, "" When he steals to fill his soul when he is hungry,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They do not despise the thief, When he stealeth to fill his soul when he is hungry,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They will not despise a thief if he shall steal to fill up his soul; for he will be hungry.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The fault is not so great when a man hath stolen: for he stealeth to fill his hungry soul: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Not so great is the fault when someone has stolen. For he steals so as to satisfy a hungry soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thieves are not despised if out of hunger they steal to satisfy their appetite. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Thieves are not despised who steal only to satisfy their appetite when they are hungry.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />No one wonders at a thief when he is caught stealing, for he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And not to wonder at one who is caught stealing, because he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy his soul when he is hungry;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />It is not to be wondered at if one should be taken stealing, for he steals that when hungry he may satisfy his soul:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/6-30.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=1095" 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/6.htm">Warnings Against Adultery</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Men do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/936.htm" title="936: yā·ḇū·zū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To despise. A primitive root; to disrespect.">despise</a> <a href="/hebrew/1590.htm" title="1590: lag·gan·nāḇ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- A thief. From ganab; a stealer.">the thief</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/1589.htm" title="1589: yiḡ·nō·wḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To steal. A primitive root; to thieve; by implication, to deceive.">he steals</a> <a href="/hebrew/4390.htm" title="4390: lə·mal·lê (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To be full, to fill. Or malae; a primitive root, to fill or be full of, in a wide application.">to satisfy</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">his</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7456.htm" title="7456: yir·‘āḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be hungry. A primitive root; to hunger.">hunger.</a> </span><span class="reftext">31</span>Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.…<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="/exodus/22-1.htm">Exodus 22:1-4</a></span><br />“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. / If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. / But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Matthew 12:1-8</a></span><br />At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. / When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-1.htm">Luke 6:1-5</a></span><br />One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them. / But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/21-1.htm">1 Samuel 21:1-6</a></span><br />Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” / “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. / Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-24.htm">Deuteronomy 23:24-25</a></span><br />When you enter your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, but you must not put any in your basket. / When you enter your neighbor’s grainfield, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but you must not put a sickle to your neighbor’s grain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/2-23.htm">Mark 2:23-28</a></span><br />One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain as they walked along. / So the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/24-14.htm">Job 24:14</a></span><br />When daylight is gone, the murderer rises to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10-11</a></span><br />Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. / For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Romans 13:9</a></span><br />The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-19.htm">Matthew 5:19</a></span><br />So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/6-1.htm">Leviticus 6:1-5</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Moses, / “If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him or stolen, or if he extorts his neighbor / or finds lost property and lies about it and swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that a man might commit— ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/61-8.htm">Isaiah 61:8</a></span><br />For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9-11</a></span><br />Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’? / Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-10.htm">Ezekiel 18:10-13</a></span><br />Now suppose that man has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these things, / though the father has done none of them: Indeed, the son eats at the mountain and defiles his neighbor’s wife. / He oppresses the poor and needy; he commits robbery and does not restore a pledge. He lifts his eyes to idols; he commits abominations. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/38-39.htm">Appetite</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-11.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-19.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-8.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/34-10.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/psalms/146-7.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/psalms/142-6.htm">Low</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-11.htm">Need</a> <a href="/psalms/10-13.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-19.htm">Satisfy</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/genesis/42-19.htm">Starving</a> <a href="/psalms/104-22.htm">Steal</a> <a href="/job/27-20.htm">Stealeth</a> <a href="/job/27-20.htm">Steals</a> <a href="/psalms/50-18.htm">Thief</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Appetite</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-9.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-18.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-2.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-3.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-3.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-9.htm">Low</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-3.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Opinion</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Satisfy</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-32.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/luke/15-17.htm">Starving</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-9.htm">Steal</a> <a href="/songs/7-9.htm">Stealeth</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-3.htm">Steals</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-24.htm">Thief</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-1.htm">against indebtedness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">idleness </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">and mischievousness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">seven things detestable to God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-20.htm">the blessings of obedience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-25.htm">the mischief of unfaithfulness</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/6.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/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Men do not despise the thief</b><br>In ancient Israel, theft was a serious offense, often punishable by restitution or even slavery if the thief could not repay. However, this phrase suggests a nuanced understanding of human behavior and motivation. The cultural context acknowledges that while theft is wrong, there is a degree of empathy for those driven by necessity. This reflects a broader biblical theme of justice tempered with mercy, as seen in the laws of restitution in <a href="/exodus/22.htm">Exodus 22:1-4</a>, where the focus is on restoring what was lost rather than purely punishing the offender.<p><b>if he steals to satisfy his hunger</b><br>This phrase highlights the basic human need for survival, which can sometimes lead individuals to desperate actions. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where food security was a constant concern, hunger was a powerful motivator. The Bible often addresses the plight of the poor and the responsibility of the community to care for them, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-9.htm">Leviticus 19:9-10</a>, which commands landowners to leave the edges of their fields for the needy. This reflects God's compassion and provision for the marginalized, a theme that is echoed in the teachings of Jesus, who fed the hungry and taught about the importance of caring for "the least of these" (<a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35-40</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_thief.htm">The Thief</a></b><br>Represents individuals who resort to stealing due to dire circumstances, such as hunger. This figure is used to illustrate a broader moral lesson.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_hungry.htm">The Hungry</a></b><br>Symbolizes those in desperate need, highlighting the human condition and the lengths to which one might go to meet basic needs.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_community.htm">The Community</a></b><br>Implied as the societal body that observes and judges the actions of individuals, including those who steal out of necessity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_human_desperation.htm">Understanding Human Desperation</a></b><br>Recognize that while theft is wrong, understanding the desperation that leads to such actions can foster compassion and a desire to help those in need.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_law_and_compassion.htm">Moral Law and Compassion</a></b><br>While upholding the moral law against theft, Christians are called to balance justice with mercy, reflecting God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The community has a role in addressing the needs of the poor and hungry, reducing the desperation that leads to theft.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>Encourage believers to trust in God's provision and seek His kingdom first, as a means to avoid the desperation that leads to sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/restoration_and_redemption.htm">Restoration and Redemption</a></b><br>Emphasize the importance of repentance and the possibility of redemption for those who have stolen, encouraging a path of honest work and generosity.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">Men do not despise a thief </span>. . .--A man who is driven to theft by poverty is more worthy of pity than disdain; not so the adulterer. Again, the thief can make retribution, while the adulterer can have none to offer.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 30.</span> - The teacher continues his argument with another illustration, still keeping in view his object, which is to show that the punishment of the adulterer is a surely impending one and severe in its character. The argument in vers. 30-33 is one <span class="accented">a fortiori</span>. If men do not overlook but severely punish a crime which has been committed under extenuating circumstances, much less will they do so where the crime is of a much graver character and has nothing to excuse it. Theft and adultery are brought into comparison. Theft under all circumstances is a lesser crime than adultery, but here it is minimized to the lowest degree. The case of a man is taken who steals to satisfy his hunger; the extent of the theft cannot be large, but yet he is punished, and called upon to make the amplest restitution. Much more, does the teacher infer, will be the punishment, and equally certain, where adultery is in question, and the crime is of the most heinous character affecting the most precious interests, and indulged in from the lowest of motives. <span class="cmt_word">Men do not despise a thief,</span> etc.; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> they do not condemn him under the circumstances, <span class="accented">non grandis est culpa</span> (Vulgate), "the fault is not a great one;" but they do despise an adulterer - him they hold in contempt as one "who lacketh understanding" and destroyeth his own soul (ver. 32). The verb <span class="accented">buz</span> has, however, been otherwise rendered as "to overlook." Zockler and Holden explain, "men do not overlook," though the former gives the literal sense as "men do not despise." Gesenius renders "despise," but explains, "<span class="accented">i.e.</span> they do not let him go unpunished." Vatablus, the Versions, Ariae, Montani, and Munsteri, Hitzig, Delitzsch, and Gesenius, Stuart, Muenscher, and Wordsworth, all agree m regarding the proper meaning of the verb to be "to despise" or "to treat scornfully." The verb <span class="accented">buz</span>, moreover, occurs in this sense in <a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>; <a href="/proverbs/11-12.htm">Proverbs 11:12</a>; <a href="/proverbs/13-13.htm">Proverbs 13:13</a>; <a href="/proverbs/14-21.htm">Proverbs 14:21</a>; <a href="/proverbs/23-9.htm">Proverbs 23:9</a>; and <a href="/songs/8-1.htm">Song of Solomon 8:1, 7</a>. Michaelis's explanation is as follows: "although a theft is deservedly regarded as infamous in the commonwealth, nevertheless, if it be compared with adultery, it is less wicked." The rendering of the LXX., <span class="greek">οὐ θαυμαστὸν ἐάν</span> <span class="greek">ἁλῷ τις κλέπτων</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "it is not a wonder if any thief be taken," it is difficult to reconcile with the text in the original, though it may be explained as expressing the certainty of arrest which follows theft, and thus gives colour to the secondary meaning attached to the verb, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> that of overlooking. The Syriac and Arabic Versions follow the LXX. while the Chaldee Paraphrase renders, "It is not a matter of surprise if a thief steals," etc. <span class="cmt_word">His soul;</span> Hebrew, <span class="accented">naph'sko</span>. <span class="accented">Nephesh</span> is used here for desire, craving, or appetite, as in <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:2, 7</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/7-19.htm">Ezekiel 7:19</a>. "To satisfy his soul" is "to sustain his life." <span class="accented">Anima</span>, Vulgate; <span class="greek">ψυχή</span>, LXX. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/6-30.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">[Men] do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">despise</span><br /><span class="heb">יָב֣וּזוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇū·zū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_936.htm">Strong's 936: </a> </span><span class="str2">To disrespect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the thief</span><br /><span class="heb">לַ֭גַּנָּב</span> <span class="translit">(lag·gan·nāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1590.htm">Strong's 1590: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stealer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he steals</span><br /><span class="heb">יִגְנ֑וֹב</span> <span class="translit">(yiḡ·nō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1589.htm">Strong's 1589: </a> </span><span class="str2">To thieve, to deceive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to satisfy</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמַלֵּ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mal·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4390.htm">Strong's 4390: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fill, be full of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his</span><br /><span class="heb">נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">hunger.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְעָֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(yir·‘āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7456.htm">Strong's 7456: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hungry</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/6-30.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:30 Men don't despise a thief if he (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/6-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 6:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 6:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/6-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 6:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 6:31" /></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>