Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

PROVERBS 11:4KJV
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Proverbs 11:4 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 11:4 mean?

Proverbs 11:4 contrasts two kinds of security. Wealth can provide advantages in ordinary life, but it cannot help when a day of wrath arrives. The verse instead says that righteousness—living in a way that is right and just—can rescue a person from death.

The phrase “day of wrath” pictures a time when anger brings serious consequences. Coming after verse 3’s contrast between honest and dishonest people, Proverbs 11:4 presents right conduct, rather than possessions, as what makes the difference at that moment.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 11:4

  • “wrath” — עֶבְרָה (ʿevrah): This word means intense anger or fury. Here it gives the “day” the force of a crisis marked by anger.
  • “delivereth” — נָצַל (natsal): This word often means to rescue or snatch away from danger. In Proverbs 11:4, righteousness is pictured as rescuing someone from death.

Why Proverbs 11:4 matters

  • The contrast concerns more than whether money is useful. The phrase “in the day of wrath” identifies a particular moment when riches cannot provide the help a person needs.
  • The verse gives righteousness an active role. “Delivereth” pictures it as a rescuer, rather than merely as a quality a person possesses.
  • The contrast continues a pattern in the surrounding sayings. Proverbs 11:3 speaks of integrity guiding honest people, while verse 6 says righteousness delivers them; verse 4 places that same concern alongside the limits of wealth.

Where else these words appear

“profit” Hebrew H3276 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Samuel 12:21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
  • Isaiah 30:5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
  • Jeremiah 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

“Riches” Hebrew H1952 · used in 26 verses

  • Psalms 44:12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
  • Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
  • Proverbs 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

“wrath” Hebrew H5678 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
  • Proverbs 22:8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
  • Ezekiel 7:19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

“righteousness” Hebrew H6666 · used in 150 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • Psalms 103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
  • Isaiah 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.