What Does Proverbs 19:4 Mean in the King James?
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
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 Hebrew uses the same word for the rich person’s “friends” and the poor person’s “neighbour”: wealth multiplies company while poverty can sever it.
THE MEANING
Your circle can expand when you have resources and contract when you lack them; even the person next door can become distant. The repeated Hebrew word for companion shows that wealth and poverty alter the same social tie.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a crowd proves genuine love, or that being left alone means the poor person has less worth.
THE ROOT
רֵעִים
reʿim
GROWS FROM
רעה
r-ʿ-h
To associate with; to tend or pasture.
“friends / neighbour” in this verse is reʿim. The Hebrew uses the same noun, רֵעַ (reʿa, companion), for the rich person’s many “friends” and the poor person’s “neighbour.” Wealth multiplies the same kind of social tie that poverty loses, exposing how closeness can shift with material standing.
ALSO GROWS
reʿa: Companion, friend, or neighbour.
רֵעַ
This is the noun used on both sides of the verse, where English gives it two different words.
raʿah: To associate with or be a companion; also to tend a flock.
רָעָה
The verb links companionship with association and tending.
roʿeh: Shepherd or one who tends a flock.
רֹעֶה
This related form carries the sense of tending, a word-family branch behind the companion’s association.
THE PATTERN
A person’s material standing shapes who draws near and who gets left at the edge.
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:THE THREAD
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.The Hebrew word רֵעַ (reʿa, friend or companion) is shared with Proverbs 19:4. This verse reveals the difference between company that gathers around advantage and friendship that remains through adversity.
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