Proverbs 19:17

“Whoever shows favor to the poor lends to YHWH, and his good deed he will repay him.”

Proverbs 19:17 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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Whoever is kind to the poor lends to YHWHGenerosity and MoneyWhoever is kind to the poor lends to YHWHJustice and mercy

With the Hebrew beneath

17

Proverbs 19:17, word by word

Whoever shows favorחוֹנֵןchonen

show favor

To treat someone with undeserved kindness.

Where else “chonen” appears
to the poorדָּלdal

poor, weak

Poor, weak: one who has little and little strength to defend himself.

Where else “dal” appears
lendsמַלְוֵהmalve

lend

To give something of one's own to someone in need, to be returned later.

Where else “malve” appears
to YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears
and his good deedגְמֻלgemul

benefit

A kindness done.

Where else “gemul” appears
he will repayיְשַׁלֶּםyeshalem

repay

To settle a debt, give back; keep a vow.

Where else “yeshalem” appears

The context

16Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his soul; whoever despises his ways will die.

17 · This verse (above)

18Correct your son, for there is hope, but do not set your soul on putting him to death.

Read all of Proverbs 19

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