What Does Proverbs 16:19 Mean in the King James?

Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:19 · KJV

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

Humility here is a place beside the lowly, while sharing spoil ties the proud to what has been seized.

THE MEANING

Being low in spirit among the lowly is better than sharing plunder with the proud. The verse locates worth in the place you stand, not in the gain offered there.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that a share in the proud person’s gains makes you better off than standing with the lowly.

THE ROOT

שְׁפַל

shephal

GROWS FROM

שפל

To be low or to be brought low.

“humble” in this verse is shephal. The phrase is “low of ruach”, ⁨רוּחַ⁩ (ruach, breath), so humility is not only an abstract quality; it is a lowly posture. The ⁨שפל⁩ root also names being lowered, setting this place among the lowly against the proud who divide the spoil.

ALSO GROWS

shaphel: Low; humble.

שָׁפֵל

This adjective shares the root’s consonants and describes the low place the verse calls better.

hishpil: To lower or bring low.

הִשְׁפִּיל

This verb shows that the root can describe the act of lowering, a movement that Proverbs 29:23 connects with pride.

shiflut: Lowliness; a low state.

שִׁפְלוּת

This noun makes the shared root’s quality explicit: the lowly position is a state with value, not merely an insult.

THE PATTERN

The lowly are upheld and regarded, while pride’s apparent elevation gives way to lowering.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18 · KJVThe verse shows that pride’s apparent height precedes a fall.

Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Psalm 138:6 · KJVThe lowly receive regard, while the proud remain far off.

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

James 4:6 · KJVThe verse places the proud and the humble in opposite positions before God.

THE THREAD

A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Proverbs 29:23 · KJV

The phrase “bring him low” shares the ⁨שפל⁩ (shaphal, be low or bring low) root with “humble” in Proverbs 16:19. The shared root reveals the turn: pride is brought low, while honor upholds the lowly in spirit.

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