Bible Strands
Proverbs 13:8
Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The wisdom writer addresses Israel with practical observations on human condition, positioned between a contrast of false appearances and the contrasting destinies of the righteous and wicked.
The words — כֹּ֣פֶר (Kofer) translates literally as ransom, while גְעָרָֽה (ge'arah) means threat or rebuke.
The thread — The concept of ransom for life appears in Matthew 16:26 regarding forfeiting one’s soul, 1 Peter 1:18 concerning redemption from empty ways, and 2 Kings 24:14 where exile removes the nation’s protectors.
Why it lands — The text states that wealth can temporarily buy safety while poverty leaves one vulnerable to immediate danger, requiring honest assessment of one’s true standing before God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
Cross-references
- Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
- 1 Peter 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,
- 2 Kings 24:14 He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained.
- Psalms 49:6 They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.
- 2 Kings 25:12 But the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields.
- Job 2:4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life.
- Jeremiah 39:10 But Nebuzaradan left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who had no property, and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.
- Zephaniah 3:12 But I will leave within you a meek and humble people, and they will trust in the name of the LORD.
- Exodus 21:30 If payment is demanded of him instead, he may redeem his life by paying the full amount demanded of him.
- Proverbs 6:35 He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts.