Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

PROVERBS 17:5KJV
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Proverbs 17:5 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 17:5 mean?

Proverbs 17:5 warns that mocking people who are poor is an insult to God, who made everyone, and that taking pleasure in someone else's trouble will not go unpunished. The verse connects how people treat the vulnerable with their attitude toward God Himself.

This proverb is part of a collection of wise sayings, likely written by Solomon, addressed to anyone seeking wisdom for living well. The verse highlights that showing contempt for those in need is not just a social wrong but a spiritual offense, because God is the Creator ("Maker") of all. It also stresses that finding joy in another person's hardship is serious enough to bring consequences.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 17:5

  • "mocketh" (לָעֵג, la‘ēg): This word means to ridicule or make fun of. In this context, it points to an attitude of scorn or belittling, not just playful teasing.
  • "poor" (רָשׁ, rāsh): This word refers to someone who is needy or lacking resources. The focus is on vulnerability and dependence.
  • "reproacheth" (חֵרֵף, ḥērēf): This means to insult or treat with contempt. The verse links this action directly to God, showing that mistreating the poor is seen as an offense against their Creator.
  • "Maker" (עֹשֵׂהוּ, ‘ōsēhū): This word means "the one who made him." It emphasizes that God is the Creator of both the poor and the rich, making all people equal in origin and value.
  • "calamities" (אֵיד, ’ēd): This word refers to disaster or misfortune. The verse warns against finding satisfaction in someone else's suffering.

Why Proverbs 17:5 matters

  • Proverbs 17:5 clears up the idea that mistreating or mocking the poor is just a social issue; the verse makes it clear that it is also a spiritual matter, as it is an insult to God Himself.
  • The proverb emphasizes personal responsibility for one's attitude toward others, especially the vulnerable, and warns that joy in another's suffering is not overlooked by God.
  • This verse connects to the broader themes in Proverbs about justice, compassion, and the importance of humility before God and others.

Where else these words appear

“mocketh” Hebrew H3932 · used in 18 verses

  • 2 Kings 19:21 This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
  • Job 11:3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
  • Psalms 80:6 Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.

“calamities” Hebrew H343 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
  • Job 31:23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
  • Jeremiah 18:17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

“glad” Hebrew H8056 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 16:15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.
  • Psalms 126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

“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.