Proverbs 12:9
NASB Lexicon
NASB ©HebrewStrong'sOrigin
Betterטֹ֣וב
(to·vv)
2896a: pleasant, agreeable, goodfrom tob
is he who is lightly esteemedנִ֭קְלֶה
(nik·leh)
7034: to be lightly esteemed or dishonoreda prim. root
and has a servantוְעֶ֣בֶד
(ve·'e·ved)
5650: slave, servantfrom abad
Than 
 
4480: froma prim. preposition
he who honorsמִ֝מְּתַכַּבֵּ֗ד
(mim·me·tak·kab·bed)
3513: to be heavy, weighty, or burdensomea prim. root
himself and lacksוַחֲסַר־
(va·cha·sar-)
2638: needy, lacking, in want offrom chaser
bread.לָֽחֶם׃
(la·chem.)
3899: bread, foodfrom lacham


















KJV Lexicon
He that is despised
qalah  (kaw-law')
to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be (causatively, hold) in contempt) -- base, contemn, despise, lightly esteem, set light, seem vile.
and hath a servant
`ebed  (eh'-bed)
a servant -- bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant, (man-)servant.
is better
towb  (tobe)
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun
than he that honoureth
kabad  (kaw-bad')
to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weightybe rich, be (go) sore, stop.
himself and lacketh
chacer  (khaw-sare')
lacking; hence, without -- destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want.
bread
lechem  (lekh'-em)
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) -- (shew-)bread, eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals.
Parallel Verses
New American Standard Bible
Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.

King James Bible
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Better to be dishonored, yet have a servant, than to act important but have no food.

International Standard Version
It's better to be unimportant, yet have a servant, than to pretend to be important, but lack food.

NET Bible
Better is a person of humble standing who nevertheless has a servant, than one who pretends to be somebody important yet has no food.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Better is a poor man who waits on himself than one who boasts and lacks bread.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Better to be unimportant and have a slave than to act important and have nothing to eat.

King James 2000 Bible
He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread.
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