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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 18:11 A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/18-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/20_Pro_18_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 18:11 - The Selfishness of the Unfriendly" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A rich man's wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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they imagine it a wall too high to scale.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The rich man's wealth <i>is</i> his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The rich man’s wealth <i>is</i> his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A rich person’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A rich man&#8217s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own delusion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall [of protection] in his own imagination <i>and</i> conceit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A rich man&#8217s wealth is his fortified city; in his imagination it is like a high wall. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />the rich think their money is a wall of protection. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A rich person's wealth is his strong city and is like a high wall in his imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Rich people, however, imagine that their wealth protects them like high, strong walls around a city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The wealth of a rich person is his fortified city; in his own imagination, it is like a high wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A rich man?s wealth is his fortified city; it is like a high wall in his imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The wealth of a rich person is like a strong city, and it is like a high wall in his imagination. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The rich man's wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like an unscalable wall in his own imagination. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The wealth of the rich [is] the city of his strength, "" And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The wealth of the rich is the city of his strength, And as a wall set on high in his own imagination.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The rich one's wealth his strong city, and as a wall lifted up in his imagination.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The substance of the wealthy is the city of his strength, and it is like a strong wall encircling him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The wealth of the rich is their strong city; they fancy it a high wall. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The wealth of the rich is their strong city; in their imagination it is like a high wall.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The rich man's wealth is his strong city; and his dwelling place is fenced by a strong wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Honor and wealth are the city of his strength and his dwelling is strengthened by a city wall.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own conceit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/18-11.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=3586" 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/18.htm">The Selfishness of the Unfriendly</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6223.htm" title="6223: ‘ā·šîr (Adj-ms) -- Rich. From ashar; rich, whether literal or figurative.">A rich</a> <a href="/hebrew/1952.htm" title="1952: hō·wn (N-ms) -- Wealth, sufficiency. From the same as huwn in the sense of 'own; wealth; by implication, enough.">man’s wealth</a> <a href="/hebrew/5797.htm" title="5797: ‘uz·zōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Strength, might. Or rowz; from azaz; strength in various applications.">is his fortified</a> <a href="/hebrew/7151.htm" title="7151: qir·yaṯ (N-fsc) -- A town, city. From qarah in the sense of flooring, i.e. Building; a city.">city;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7682.htm" title="7682: niś·gā·ḇāh (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; to be lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively.">it is like a high</a> <a href="/hebrew/2346.htm" title="2346: ū·ḵə·ḥō·w·māh (Conj-w, Prep-k:: N-fs) -- A wall. Feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection.">wall</a> <a href="/hebrew/4906.htm" title="4906: bə·maś·kî·ṯōw (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A showpiece, figure, imagination. From the same as Sekuw; a figure; figuratively, imagination.">in his imagination.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.…<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="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17</a></span><br />Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15-21</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-23.htm">Mark 10:23-25</a></span><br />Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” / And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! / It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-3</a></span><br />Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/3-17.htm">Revelation 3:17</a></span><br />You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a></span><br />Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">Matthew 19:23-24</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5</a></span><br />Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:10-12</a></span><br />He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? / The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/49-6.htm">Psalm 49:6-7</a></span><br />They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. / No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-23.htm">Jeremiah 9:23-24</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/28-4.htm">Ezekiel 28:4-5</a></span><br />By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. / By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has grown proud because of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-7.htm">Isaiah 2:7-8</a></span><br />Their land is full of silver and gold, with no limit to their treasures; their land is full of horses, with no limit to their chariots. / Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-15.htm">Proverbs 10:15</a></b></br> The rich man's wealth <i>is</i> his strong city: the destruction of the poor <i>is</i> their poverty.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-4.htm">Proverbs 11:4</a></b></br> Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-31.htm">Deuteronomy 32:31</a></b></br> For their rock <i>is</i> not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves <i>being</i> judges.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/16-32.htm">City</a> <a href="/psalms/73-7.htm">Conceit</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-15.htm">Fortified</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-10.htm">High</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-18.htm">Imagination</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-20.htm">Imagine</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-15.htm">Property</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-20.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-10.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-10.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-3.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/psalms/78-13.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-8.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/18-19.htm">City</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-5.htm">Conceit</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-19.htm">Fortified</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-12.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-12.htm">High</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-3.htm">Imagination</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-33.htm">Imagine</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm">Property</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-23.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-29.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-18.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-31.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-23.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">A fool delights not in understanding</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/18.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/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A rich man’s wealth is his fortified city;</b><br>In ancient times, cities were often surrounded by walls for protection against invaders. A fortified city symbolized security and strength. Wealth, in this context, is seen as providing a similar sense of security for the rich man. However, this security is often illusory, as wealth can be fleeting. The Bible frequently warns against placing trust in riches (<a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17</a>). The imagery of a fortified city also contrasts with the true refuge found in God, as seen in Psalms 18:2, where God is described as a fortress and deliverer.<p><b>it is like a high wall in his imagination.</b><br>The high wall represents an exaggerated sense of security that wealth provides. This phrase suggests that the rich man's confidence in his wealth is more about perception than reality. The Bible often highlights the deceptive nature of riches (<a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Proverbs 23:4-5</a>). The "imagination" indicates that this security is not as solid as it appears, echoing Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a> about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth. This also points to the spiritual blindness that can accompany wealth, as seen in the parable of the rich fool in <a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a>, where the man's trust in his abundant possessions leads to his downfall.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/rich_man.htm">Rich Man</a></b><br>Represents individuals who possess significant material wealth and resources.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/fortified_city.htm">Fortified City</a></b><br>Symbolizes a place of security and protection, often used in ancient times to describe a city with strong defenses.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/high_wall.htm">High Wall</a></b><br>Represents a barrier or defense mechanism, suggesting a sense of safety and invulnerability.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/imagination.htm">Imagination</a></b><br>Refers to the mental perception or belief of the rich man regarding his wealth as a source of security.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/false_security_of_wealth.htm">False Security of Wealth</a></b><br>Wealth can create a false sense of security, leading individuals to trust in their resources rather than in God. This misplaced trust can be dangerous, as material wealth is temporary and uncertain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perception_vs._reality.htm">Perception vs. Reality</a></b><br>The rich man's belief that his wealth is a "high wall" is an illusion. True security comes from God, not from material possessions. Believers should evaluate where they place their trust and ensure it aligns with biblical truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Christians are called to focus on eternal treasures rather than earthly wealth. This perspective shift encourages believers to invest in what has lasting value, such as their relationship with God and acts of love and service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_resources.htm">Stewardship of Resources</a></b><br>While wealth itself is not condemned, how it is used is crucial. Believers are encouraged to be good stewards of their resources, using them to further God's kingdom and help those in need.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_teachings_in_book_of_james.htm">What are the key teachings in the Book of James?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_records_support_humility_over_wealth_in_israel.htm">Proverbs 12:9 implies it's better to be humble with modest means than to pretend wealth, yet do historical or archaeological records support such an ethos in ancient Israelite society?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_10_15_conflict_with_jesus.htm">Proverbs 10:15 depicts wealth as a 'fortified city'--does this conflict with Jesus' warnings about riches in the New Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_truth_according_to_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible teach about money?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - In contrast with the Divine tower of safety in the preceding verse is here brought forward the earthly refuge of the worldly man. <span class="cmt_word">The rich man's wealth is his strong city.</span> The clause is repeated from <a href="/proverbs/10-15.htm">Proverbs 10:15</a>, but with quite a different conclusion. <span class="cmt_word">And as an high wall in his own conceit.</span> The rich man imagines his wealth to be, as it were, an unassailable defence, to preserve him safe amid all the storms of life. <span class="hebrew">בְּמַשְׂכִּתו</span> (<span class="accented">bemaskitho</span>), rendered "in his own conceit," is, as Venetian has, <span class="greek">ἐν φαντασίᾳ</span> <span class="greek">αὐτοῦ</span>, "in his imagination," <span class="accented">maskith</span> being "an image or picture," as in <a href="/leviticus/26-1.htm">Leviticus 26:1</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm">Ezekiel 8:12</a>; but see on Proverbs 25:11. Aben Ezra brings out the opposition between the secure and stable trust of the righteous in the Lord's protection, and the confidence of the rich worldling in his possessions, which is only imaginary and delusive. Vulgate, <span class="accented">Et quasi murus validus circumdans eum</span>, "Like a strong wall surrounding him;" Septuagint, "And its glory (<span class="greek">δόξα</span>) greatly overshadows him;" <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the pomp and splendour of his wealth are his protection, or merely paint him like a picture, having no real substance. The commentators explain the word <span class="greek">ἐπισκιάζει</span> in both senses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/18-11.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">A rich</span><br /><span class="heb">עָ֭שִׁיר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·šîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6223.htm">Strong's 6223: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rich</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man’s wealth</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(hō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1952.htm">Strong's 1952: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wealth, sufficiency</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is his fortified</span><br /><span class="heb">עֻזּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘uz·zōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5797.htm">Strong's 5797: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength, might</span><br /><br /><span class="word">city;</span><br /><span class="heb">קִרְיַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(qir·yaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7151.htm">Strong's 7151: </a> </span><span class="str2">A town, city</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is like a high</span><br /><span class="heb">נִ֝שְׂגָּבָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(niś·gā·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7682.htm">Strong's 7682: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, lofty, inaccessible, safe, strong</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wall</span><br /><span class="heb">וּכְחוֹמָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḵə·ḥō·w·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2346.htm">Strong's 2346: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wall of protection</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in his imagination.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמַשְׂכִּיתֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·maś·kî·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4906.htm">Strong's 4906: </a> </span><span class="str2">A showpiece, figure, imagination</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/18-11.htm">Proverbs 18:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/18-11.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:11 The rich man's wealth is his strong (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/18-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 18:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 18:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/18-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 18:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 18:12" /></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>