Bible Strands
Proverbs 22:9
A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom writer addresses a student in a didactic sequence, placing this instruction between a warning about sowing injustice and a command to remove mockers.
The words — The text pairs טֽוֹב־ (tov-) = good and עַ֭יִן ('A.yin) = eye to characterize the generous man, while נָתַ֖ן (na.Tan) = he gives specifies the concrete action of distributing food to the poor.
The thread — The motif of material provision to the needy runs through Proverbs 19:17, Hebrews 6:10, and 1 Timothy 6:18.
Why it lands — The verse states that blessing follows the practical distribution of food to the needy, requiring the reader to practice tangible generosity rather than abstract charity.
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
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
- Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- 1 Timothy 6:18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
- Acts 20:35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
- 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
- Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- Psalms 112:9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
- Luke 14:13 But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind,
- Deuteronomy 15:7 If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.
- Job 31:16 If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,