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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 16:26 A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/16-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/20_Pro_16_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 16:26 - The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward." /><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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their hunger drives them on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The person who labors, labors for himself, For his <i>hungry</i> mouth drives him <i>on.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him <i>on.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A worker&#8217s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him <i>on.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A worker’s appetite works for him, For his mouth urges him <i>on</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The appetite of a worker works for him, For his hunger urges him on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worker&#8217s appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him thereto.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The hungrier you are, the harder you work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The appetite of the labouring man laboureth for him; for his mouth craveth it of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A laborer's appetite works to his advantage, because his hunger drives him on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A laborer's appetite makes him work harder, because he wants to satisfy his hunger. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The appetite of the laborer motivates him; indeed, his hunger drives him on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worker?s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A laborer's appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that laboreth laboreth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A laboring man has labored for himself, "" For his mouth has caused [him] to bend over it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A labouring man hath laboured for himself, For his mouth hath caused him to bend over it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The soul of him laboring, labored for himself; for his mouth urged upon him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The appetite of workers works for them, for their mouths urge them on. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The appetite of workers works for them; their hunger urges them on.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A sorrowful person grieves himself; from his own mouth comes his destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The soul of a sufferer makes him sick and from the mouth of his soul destruction comes to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The hunger of the labouring man laboureth for him; For his mouth compelleth him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from <i>him</i> his own ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/16-26.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=3237" 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/16.htm">The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">25</span>There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6001.htm" title="6001: ‘ā·mêl (N-ms) -- Toiling, a laborer, sorrowful. From amal; toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful.">A worker’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ne·p̄eš (N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">appetite</a> <a href="/hebrew/5998.htm" title="5998: ‘ā·mə·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To labor, toil. A primitive root; to toil, i.e. Work severely and with irksomeness.">works</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">for him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: pî·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">his hunger</a> <a href="/hebrew/404.htm" title="404: ’ā·ḵap̄ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To press, urge. A primitive root; apparently meaning to curve; to urge.">drives him</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">onward.</a> </span><span class="reftext">27</span>A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.…<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="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a></span><br />By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:7</a></span><br />All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10</a></span><br />For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-4.htm">Proverbs 13:4</a></span><br />The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-15.htm">Proverbs 19:15</a></span><br />Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Proverbs 21:25</a></span><br />The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Matthew 6:25-34</a></span><br />Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? / Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-8.htm">1 Timothy 5:8</a></span><br />If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Proverbs 10:4</a></span><br />Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Proverbs 12:11</a></span><br />The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23</a></span><br />There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-13.htm">Proverbs 20:13</a></span><br />Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Proverbs 28:19</a></span><br />The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-11.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:11-12</a></span><br />and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. / Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Ephesians 4:28</a></span><br />He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that labors labors for himself; for his mouth craves it of him.</p><p class="hdg">He</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/9-12.htm">Proverbs 9:12</a></b></br> If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but <i>if</i> thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23</a></b></br> In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips <i>tendeth</i> only to penury.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:7</a></b></br> All the labour of man <i>is</i> for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.</p><p class="hdg">craveth it of him boweth unto him </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/13-25.htm">Appetite</a> <a href="/psalms/95-6.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-26.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-27.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Drives</a> <a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-14.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-3.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Laboreth</a> <a href="/revelation/12-2.htm">Laboring</a> <a href="/romans/16-9.htm">Labourer</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-23.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-22.htm">Thereto</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-27.htm">Urgeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-4.htm">Working</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-4.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/23-2.htm">Appetite</a> <a href="/isaiah/46-2.htm">Bend</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-19.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-29.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-26.htm">Drives</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-26.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-15.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Laboreth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Laboring</a> <a href="/romans/16-9.htm">Labourer</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-4.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-23.htm">Need</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-19.htm">Thereto</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-27.htm">Urgeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-24.htm">Working</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-24.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/16-1.htm">The Plans of the heart</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/16.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/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A worker’s appetite works for him</b><br>This phrase highlights the natural motivation that hunger provides. In biblical times, labor was often physically demanding, and sustenance was a primary concern. The concept of appetite here can be seen as a metaphor for the drive and motivation that compels individuals to work diligently. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that diligence and hard work are virtuous (<a href="/proverbs/12-24.htm">Proverbs 12:24</a>). The idea that one's needs can motivate productivity is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul writes about working to provide for oneself and others (<a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10-12</a>).<p><b>because his hunger drives him onward.</b><br>Hunger, both literal and metaphorical, is a powerful motivator. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where food scarcity was a real threat, hunger would indeed drive a person to labor. This reflects the broader biblical theme of reliance on God for provision, as seen in the Israelites' dependence on manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16). Theologically, this can also be seen as a type of spiritual hunger that drives believers to seek God and His righteousness (<a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a>). The drive to satisfy hunger can be paralleled with the spiritual pursuit of fulfilling one's purpose in God's plan, emphasizing perseverance and reliance on divine provision.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical insights into daily living and spiritual truths.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_worker.htm">The Worker</a></b><br>Represents any individual engaged in labor or effort. In this context, it symbolizes those who are motivated by their needs and desires to work diligently.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where agriculture and manual labor were common, and the concept of working for sustenance was a daily reality.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_motivation_of_necessity.htm">The Motivation of Necessity</a></b><br>Hunger, both physical and metaphorical, is a powerful motivator that drives individuals to work. Recognize the God-given drive to meet our needs through diligent effort.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_hard_work.htm">The Value of Hard Work</a></b><br>Work is not merely a means to an end but a valuable pursuit that God has ordained. Embrace work as a form of stewardship and service to God and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_hunger.htm">Spiritual Hunger</a></b><br>Just as physical hunger motivates us to work, spiritual hunger should drive us to seek God and His righteousness. Cultivate a desire for spiritual growth and nourishment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_and_provision.htm">Contentment and Provision</a></b><br>Trust in God's provision while being diligent in your efforts. Balance the drive to work with contentment in what God provides.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/work_as_worship.htm">Work as Worship</a></b><br>Approach your work as an act of worship, offering your efforts to God and seeking to glorify Him in all you do.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_flattery.htm">What is the Bible's view on flattery?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'the_lord_is_my_rock'_mean.htm">Is envy the decay of one's inner self?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_seven_deadly_sins.htm">What are the seven deadly sins?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_phrase_'love_is_love'_accurate.htm">What defines a perverse mouth?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(26) <span class= "bld">He that laboureth laboureth for himself.--</span>Rather, <span class= "ital">the desire, </span>or <span class= "ital">hunger, of the labourer laboureth for him, for his mouth urges him on; </span>the feeling that he is supplying his own needs gives him strength for his work.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 26.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that laboureth laboureth for himself;</span> literally, <span class="accented">the soul of him that laboureth laboureth for him.</span> "Soul" here is equivalent to "desire," "appetite" (comp. <a href="/proverbs/6-30.htm">Proverbs 6:30</a>), and the maxim signifies that hunger is a strong incentive to work - the needs of the body spur the labourer to diligence and assiduity; he eats bread in the sweat of his brow (<a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>). Says the Latin gnome - <p><span class="foreign">"Largitor artium, ingeniique magister Venter."</span> <p><span class="accented">"The belly is the teacher of all arts,<br />The parent of invention."</span> De tout s'avise a qui pain faut, "He who wants bread thinks of everything." There is our own homely saw, "Need makes the old wife trot;" as the Italians say, "Hunger sets the dog a-hunting" (Kelly). <span class="cmt_word">For his mouth craveth it of him;</span> his mouth must have food to put in it. The verb <span class="hebrew">אָכַפ</span> (<span class="accented">akaph</span>) does not occur elsewhere; it means properly "to bend," and then to put a load on, to constrain to press. So here, "His mouth bends over him, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> urgeth him thereto" (Revised Version). <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:7</a>, "All labour of man is for his mouth;" we should say stomach. Hunger in some sense is the great stimulus of all work. "We commanded you," says St. Paul (<a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10</a>), "that if any would not work, neither should he eat." There is a spiritual hunger without which grace cannot be sought or obtained - that hungering and thirsting after righteousness of which Christ speaks, and which he who is the Bread of life is ready to satisfy (<a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a>; <a href="/john/6-58.htm">John 6:58</a>). The Septuagint expands the maxim: "A man in labours labours for himself, and drives away (<span class="greek">ἐκβιάζεται</span>) his own destruction; but the perverse man upon his own mouth carrieth destruction." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/16-26.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 worker’s</span><br /><span class="heb">עָ֭מֵל</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·mêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6001.htm">Strong's 6001: </a> </span><span class="str2">Toiling, a laborer, sorrowful</span><br /><br /><span class="word">appetite</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֣פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine 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">works</span><br /><span class="heb">עָ֣מְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·mə·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5998.htm">Strong's 5998: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toil, work severely and with irksomeness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for him</span><br /><span class="heb">לּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</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">his hunger</span><br /><span class="heb">פִּֽיהוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(pî·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">drives</span><br /><span class="heb">אָכַ֖ף</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_404.htm">Strong's 404: </a> </span><span class="str2">To press, urge</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him onward.</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלָ֣יו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/16-26.htm">Proverbs 16:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/16-26.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:26 The appetite of the laboring man labors (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/16-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 16:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 16:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/16-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 16:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 16:27" /></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>