He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

PROVERBS 19:17KJV
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Proverbs 19:17 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 19:17 mean?

Proverbs 19:17 says that the LORD treats kindness to a poor person as a loan made to himself. The proverb gives that act a significance beyond the exchange between two people: the LORD takes notice of the help and promises repayment.

The picture is of a lender who has a claim on a borrower. The surprising borrower is the LORD, even though the help goes directly to the poor person.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 19:17

  • “pity” — חָנַן (ḥanan): This word can mean to show favor or be gracious. Here, the act of giving shows that “pity” involves more than a feeling.
  • “poor” — דַּל (dal): This word often describes someone who is weak or has few resources. It points to a person in need rather than identifying a particular cause of poverty.
  • “again” — שָׁלַם (shalam): The word can carry the sense of paying back or making good on an obligation. It gives the promise of repayment its force within the image of a loan.

Why Proverbs 19:17 matters

  • The verse connects the gift and the repayment through the LORD. The poor person receives the help, while “he,” meaning the LORD, is the one who will pay the giver back.
  • The wording presents repayment as the LORD’s response, not as a claim the giver makes on the poor person. The phrase “lendeth unto the LORD” places the obligation in the LORD’s hands.

Where else these words appear

“given” Hebrew H1576 · used in 17 verses

  • Judges 9:16 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
  • Psalms 137:8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
  • Isaiah 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

“lendeth” Hebrew H3867 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 29:34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
  • Esther 9:27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;
  • Isaiah 14:1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

“poor” Hebrew H1800 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 23:3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
  • Psalms 41:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
  • Proverbs 28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

“pity” Hebrew H2603 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 33:5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
  • Job 19:16 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth.
  • Psalms 102:14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.