Bible Strands
Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the LORD leads to life, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The verse operates as a standalone wisdom maxim within a chapter contrasting human desires and sloth, presenting a general principle rather than addressing a specific historical speaker or audience.
The words — The Hebrew יִרְאַת יְהוָה (yir'at Yahweh) literally renders as "fear of Yahweh," while וְשָׂבֵעַ (ve'sa'vea) translates to "and satisfied" or "content."
The thread — Proverbs 14:26 and Proverbs 12:21 also connect reverence for God with security and the absence of calamity, while Matthew 5:6 parallels the concept of divine fulfillment through spiritual longing.
Why it lands — The text states that reverence for God produces sustained satisfaction and protection from harm, requiring the reader to prioritize divine reverence over immediate comfort or deceit.
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 fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Cross-references
- Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
- Proverbs 14:26 He who fears the LORD is secure in confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge.
- Proverbs 12:21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.
- Isaiah 58:10 and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.
- 1 Timothy 4:8 For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
- Psalms 90:14 Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
- Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
- Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
- Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short.
- Malachi 3:16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.