Proverbs 23:4 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 23:4 mean?

Proverbs 23:4 warns against working excessively with the goal of becoming rich and advises the reader to stop relying on their own cleverness or schemes. The verse suggests that pursuing wealth as a main goal and trusting only in personal wisdom is not the right path.

In this proverb, a wise teacher (traditionally Solomon) is speaking to young people or anyone seeking wisdom about life. The setting is practical advice about how to approach work, money, and ambition. The verse points out that there is a limit to how much effort should be spent chasing riches, and that human wisdom alone is not a reliable guide for such pursuits.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 23:4

• "Labour" (יָגַע, yāgaʿ): This word often means to toil or work to the point of exhaustion. The verse is not against work itself, but warns against exhausting oneself for the sake of wealth.
• "Rich" (עָשַׁר, ʿāshar): This word refers specifically to becoming wealthy or increasing in riches. The focus is on the desire to accumulate more and more.
• "Cease" (חָדַל, ḥādal): This means to stop or give up. The verse calls for an intentional stopping, not just a pause.
• "Wisdom" (בִּינָה, bīnāh): This word means understanding or insight, but here it refers to one’s own cleverness or schemes. The verse cautions against trusting only in personal ideas about how to get ahead.

Why Proverbs 23:4 matters

• Proverbs 23:4 clarifies that hard work itself is not condemned, but the endless pursuit of wealth as a life goal is questioned.
• The verse challenges the common idea that personal cleverness or schemes are enough to guarantee success, pointing instead to the limits of human wisdom.
• In the context of Proverbs 23, this warning fits with other verses that caution against being consumed by desires for wealth, pleasure, or status, helping the reader see the bigger picture of wise living.