Proverbs 16:26
in Proverbs 16A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him thereto.
KJV
He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
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This verse in Proverbs 16
Commentary
5 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
He that laboreth - literally, as in the margin, i. e., “The desire of the laborer labors for him” (or, helps him in his work), “for his mouth urges him on.” Hunger of some kind is the spring of all hearty labor. Without that the man would sit down and take his ease. So also, unless there is a hunger in the soul, craving to be fed, there can be no true labor after righteousness and wisdom (compare Mat 5:6).
This site's exposition
He that laboureth laboureth for himself
on Proverbs 16:26-27
He that laboureth laboureth for himself, since his own hunger, his own mouth, is what drives him to work in the first place, a plain observation about the honest motive behind ordinary labour. The ungodly man works from the same drive turned wrong, digging up evil the way a labourer digs a field, and carrying in his lips a fire that burns whoever stands near it. Gill reads the pairing as proof that industry itself is morally neutral, valuable or destructive only by what it is aimed at.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
The soul of the laborer labors for itself, etc. It is evident, according to the letter, that man expelled from paradise exercises daily labor so that he may not lack. For he compelled his mouth, when he spoke with the serpent and touched the forbidden …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
He that laboureth, laboureth for himself,.... Man is born for labour; it is a part of the curse inflicted on him for sin; and his condition and circumstances are such as make it necessary, for such who will not work ought not to eat; and it is labouring for food and raiment which is here meant, and that is for a man's self; for if he labours to be rich and lay up money, and purchase estates, these are more for others than himself, and indeed he knows not for whom he labours.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
He that laboureth - No thanks to a man for his labor and industry; if he do not work he must starve.
The words behind it
8 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| נֶ֣פֶשׁ | nefesh | [the] appetite of | H5315 → | 754 times |
| עָ֭מֵל | ʾamel | a laborer | H6001 → | |
| עָ֣מְלָה | ʾamelah | it labors | H5998 → | |
| לּ֑וֹ | lo | for him | ||
| כִּֽי־ | ki- | for | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| אָכַ֖ף | ʾakhaf | it presses | H404 → | |
| עָלָ֣יו | ʾalav | on him | H5921 → | 5755 times |
| פִּֽיהוּ׃ | pihu | mouth his | H6310 → | 498 times |
נֶ֣פֶשׁ[the] appetite of
nefeshH5315 →754 times
עָ֭מֵלa laborer
ʾamelH6001 →
עָ֣מְלָהit labors
ʾamelahH5998 →
לּ֑וֹfor him
lo
כִּֽי־for
ki-H3588 →4482 times
אָכַ֖ףit presses
ʾakhafH404 →
עָלָ֣יוon him
ʾalavH5921 →5755 times
פִּֽיהוּ׃mouth his
pihuH6310 →498 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 14:23There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
it leads to
- Proverbs 28:19
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
- Proverbs 12:24
The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”
- Hebrews 6:10–11
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.
- Ecclesiastes 5:3
As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
- Proverbs 28:19
Through
Ecclesiastes 6:7All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
it leads to
- John 6:27
Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of…
- 1 Timothy 6:6–8
Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.
- John 6:27
Through
Proverbs 9:12If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.
it leads to
- Job 22:2–3
“Can a man be of use to God? Can even a wise man benefit Him?
- Job 22:2–3
Where this verse is studied
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.