Proverbs 13:25 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 13:25 mean?

Proverbs 13:25 says that people who do what is right find enough to satisfy them, while those who do wrong are left wanting more. The verse draws a sharp contrast between the fulfillment experienced by the righteous and the ongoing lack faced by the wicked.

This proverb comes from a collection of wise sayings traditionally attributed to Solomon, directed to anyone seeking wisdom for daily life. The verse uses the image of eating and hunger to make a broader point about satisfaction and emptiness, suggesting that living rightly leads to a deeper contentment, while a life of wrongdoing brings ongoing need or dissatisfaction.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 13:25

• "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq): This word refers to someone who acts justly and lives according to what is right. In this verse, it highlights that true satisfaction is tied to character, not just physical needs.
• "satisfying" (שָׂבַע, sava): This word means to be filled or satisfied, not just physically but also in a deeper sense. The proverb uses it to show that the righteous experience a real sense of being filled up, not just having enough food.
• "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): Often translated as "soul" or "life," this word can mean the whole self or inner being. Here, it suggests that the satisfaction the righteous experience goes beyond the stomach and reaches the whole person.
• "want" (חָסֵר, chaser): This word means to lack or be in need. The proverb uses it to show that the wicked, no matter what they have, still feel a sense of emptiness or lack.

Why Proverbs 13:25 matters

• Proverbs 13:25 clarifies that the difference between the righteous and the wicked is not just about outward circumstances, but about the deeper experience of satisfaction or emptiness.
• The verse helps correct the idea that material abundance alone brings fulfillment, showing that a right life leads to a deeper kind of satisfaction.
• This proverb fits into a larger theme in Proverbs, where the outcomes of wise and foolish choices are contrasted, teaching that the consequences of character reach beyond the surface.