The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

PROVERBS 13:8KJV
Know the Bible

Proverbs 13:8 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 13:8 mean?

Proverbs 13:8 says that a wealthy person’s riches can serve as a ransom for his life, but a poor person does not face such threats or warnings. The verse contrasts the experiences of the rich and the poor, showing how wealth can bring both protection and trouble, while poverty can mean fewer dangers of this kind.

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, often contrasting different ways of living. Here, the proverb points out that riches (money or possessions) can sometimes be used to save a person from harm or danger, like paying a ransom, but the poor are not targeted in the same way and do not have to respond to such threats. The verse is not making a judgment about wealth or poverty, but simply observing a reality about how people’s circumstances can affect their experiences.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 13:8

  • רֶשֶׁף (kofer; ransom): This word means a price paid to rescue someone, often from danger or captivity. In this verse, it highlights how wealth can be used to buy safety or freedom.
  • נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh; life): This word often means "life" or "soul," emphasizing that what is at stake for the rich person is not just money, but his very life.
  • עֹשֶׁר (osher; riches): This word refers to material wealth. The verse notes that these riches can be both a shield and a source of risk.
  • רָשׁ (rash; poor): This word means someone who is destitute or lacking wealth. The poor person is described as not hearing "rebuke" or threats, suggesting that poverty can mean being overlooked in situations where wealth would attract attention.
  • גְּעָרָה (ge'arah; rebuke): This word can mean a warning, threat, or reprimand. Here, it likely refers to threats or demands made against the rich, which the poor do not experience.

Why Proverbs 13:8 matters

  • Proverbs 13:8 clarifies that wealth can be both a blessing and a burden, offering protection but also attracting danger or threats that the poor do not face.
  • The verse helps readers see that poverty, while difficult, can sometimes mean freedom from certain troubles that come with riches.
  • In the wider context of Proverbs, this saying adds to the book’s balanced view of wealth, showing both its advantages and its potential complications.

Where else these words appear

“rebuke” Hebrew H1606 · used in 14 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
  • Psalms 80:16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

“ransom” Hebrew H3724 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
  • 1 Samuel 6:18 And the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite.
  • Proverbs 6:35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

“poor” Hebrew H7326 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 18:23 And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
  • Proverbs 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
  • Proverbs 22:2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

“riches” Hebrew H6239 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 31:16 For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
  • Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.