What Does Proverbs 14:31 Mean in the King James?
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The poor person is where reverence for the Maker takes on weight you can see.
THE MEANING
When you press down a poor person, the insult reaches the One who made them. When you honor the Maker, that honor takes shape as favor toward the person in need.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the belief that honoring God can be separated from how the poor are treated.
THE ROOT
וּמְכַבְּדוֹ
u-mekhabbedo
GROWS FROM
כבד
k-b-d
To be heavy or weighty.
The word rendered “honoureth” grows from the language of weight. The verse shows the Maker’s weight being recognized through favor shown to the needy.
ALSO GROWS
kāvēd: Heavy, weighty.
כָּבֵד
This branch makes the root’s sense of weight audible beneath the act of honoring.
kāvōd: Weight, honor, glory.
כָּבוֹד
The noun for honor shares this root, linking honor with the weight accorded to someone.
חֹנֵן
ḥōnēn
GROWS FROM
חנן
ḥ-n-n
To show favor or act graciously.
The Hebrew word translated “hath mercy” describes showing favor. The verse presents this favor as something that reaches the poor person, making honor for the Maker visible in how that person is treated.
ALSO GROWS
ḥēn: Favor.
חֵן
This noun shares the root and clarifies the active favor expressed toward the needy.
ḥannūn: Gracious, showing favor.
חַנּוּן
This related form carries the same quality of favor that the verse associates with honoring the Maker.
THE PATTERN
Honor for the Maker becomes visible in the treatment of the poor.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.THE THREAD
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.Proverbs shows honor for the Maker taking shape as favor toward the poor. Here, the King makes the connection explicit: what is done to the least is received as done to him.
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