Proverbs 11:26
New International Version
People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.

New Living Translation
People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.

English Standard Version
The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.

Berean Standard Bible
The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.

King James Bible
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

New King James Version
The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

New American Standard Bible
One who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

NASB 1995
He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

NASB 1977
He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

Amplified Bible
The people curse him who holds back grain [when the public needs it], But a blessing [from God and man] is upon the head of him who sells it.

Christian Standard Bible
People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.

American Standard Version
He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

Contemporary English Version
Charge too much for grain, and you will be cursed; sell it at a fair price, and you will be praised.

English Revised Version
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
People will curse the one who hoards grain, but a blessing will be upon the head of the one who sells it.

Good News Translation
People curse someone who hoards grain, waiting for a higher price, but they praise the one who puts it up for sale.

International Standard Version
People will curse whoever withholds grain, but blessing will come to whoever is selling.

Majority Standard Bible
The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it.

NET Bible
People will curse the one who withholds grain, but they will praise the one who sells it.

New Heart English Bible
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

World English Bible
People curse someone who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever is withholding grain, the people execrate him, "" And a blessing [is] for the head of him who is selling.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is withholding corn, the people execrate him, And a blessing is for the head of him who is selling.

Smith's Literal Translation
He withholding grain, the people shall curse him: and blessing upon the head of him selling.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the people: but a blessing upon the head of them that sell.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever hides away grain shall be cursed among the people. But a blessing is upon the head of those who sell it.

New American Bible
Whoever hoards grain, the people curse, but blessings are on the head of one who distributes it!

New Revised Standard Version
The people curse those who hold back grain, but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who holds back grain in the day of distress shall fall into the hands of his enemies; but a blessing shall be upon the head of him who sells it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that withholds produce in affliction they will send away to his enemies, and blessing will be upon the head of him that sells.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
May he that hoards corn leave it to the nation: but blessing be on the head of him that gives it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Dishonest Scales
25A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. 26The people will curse the hoarder of grain, but blessing will crown the one who sells it. 27He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.…

Cross References
James 5:1-6
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. / Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Acts 20:35
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. / Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...

Luke 12:15-21
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...

1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

Deuteronomy 24:14-15
Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. / You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.

Isaiah 58:6-10
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? / Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. ...

Leviticus 19:9-10
When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. / You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.

Amos 8:4-7
Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, / asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales. / Let us buy the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the chaff with the wheat!” ...

Nehemiah 5:1-13
About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. / Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.” / Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be on the head of him that sells it.

that withholdeth

Amos 8:4-6
Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, …

blessing

Job 29:13
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

Jump to Previous
Blessing Corn Crowns Curse Cursed Execrate Grain Head Hoards Holds Keeps Lets Price Sell Selleth Selling Sells Someone Willing Withholdeth Withholding Withholds
Jump to Next
Blessing Corn Crowns Curse Cursed Execrate Grain Head Hoards Holds Keeps Lets Price Sell Selleth Selling Sells Someone Willing Withholdeth Withholding Withholds
Proverbs 11
1. On Deception














The people will curse
This phrase highlights the collective response of a community towards an individual who acts selfishly. The Hebrew word for "curse" is "qalal," which can mean to despise or hold in contempt. In ancient agrarian societies, where survival often depended on communal cooperation, hoarding essential resources like grain was seen as a betrayal of social trust. The community's curse reflects a moral judgment against actions that harm the common good.

the hoarder of grain
The term "hoarder" refers to someone who withholds resources for personal gain, especially during times of scarcity. In the Hebrew context, "hoarder" is derived from "batzar," which implies holding back or restraining. Grain was a staple in ancient Israel, and its hoarding could lead to famine and suffering. This phrase serves as a warning against greed and the unethical accumulation of wealth at the expense of others' well-being.

but blessing will crown
The word "blessing" in Hebrew is "berakah," which signifies divine favor and prosperity. The imagery of a "crown" suggests honor and recognition bestowed upon someone by God and the community. This phrase contrasts the negative consequences of hoarding with the positive outcomes of generosity. It implies that those who act righteously and share their resources will be rewarded with both spiritual and material abundance.

the one who sells it
Selling grain, especially during times of need, is portrayed as an act of righteousness. The Hebrew word "makar" means to sell or trade, and in this context, it implies fair and just commerce. By selling grain, the individual supports the community's sustenance and stability. This phrase underscores the biblical principle of stewardship, where resources are managed not just for personal gain but for the benefit of others, reflecting God's provision and care.

(26) He that withholdeth corn till it has reached an exorbitant price, "the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it" at a fair price. The truth of this is not affected by the fact that the dealer's selfishness is in the long run beneficial to the community by limiting consumption in consequence of the rise in the price of corn.

Verse 26. - He that withholdeth corn. The practice reprehended is not confined to any one time or place. The avaricious have always been found ready to buy corn and other necessary articles of consumption when plentiful, and wait till there was dearth in the market or scarcity in the land, and then sell them at famine prices. Amos sternly reproves this iniquity (Amos 8:4, etc.). It is a sin against justice and charity, and it is said of him who is guilty of it, the people shall curse him (Proverbs 24:24). Such selfishness has often given rise to tumult and bloodshed, and has been punished in a signal manner. The legend of Bishop Hatto shows the popular feeling concerning these Dardanarians, as they were called by Ulpian ('Digest. Justin.,' 47:11.6). Such a one St. Chrysostom ('Hom. in 1 Cor.,' 39) calls "a common enemy of the blessings of the world, and a foe to the liberality of the Lord of the world, and a friend of mammon, or rather his slave." The Septuagint gives a curious rendering: "He who hohleth corn may he leave it for the peoples!" i.e. may neither he nor his heirs be benefited by his store, but may it be distributed among others far and near! That selleth it; literally, that breaketh it, as it is said of Joseph when he sold corn to the Egyptians (Genesis 41:56; Genesis 42:6).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The people
לְא֑וֹם (lə·’ō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3816: A community

will curse
יִקְּבֻ֣הוּ (yiq·qə·ḇu·hū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5344: To puncture

the hoarder
מֹ֣נֵֽעַ (mō·nê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4513: To debar, from benefit, injury

of grain,
בָּ֭ר (bār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1250: Grain, the open country

but blessing
וּ֝בְרָכָ֗ה (ū·ḇə·rā·ḵāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1293: Benediction, prosperity

will crown
לְרֹ֣אשׁ (lə·rōš)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

the one who sells it.
מַשְׁבִּֽיר׃ (maš·bîr)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7666: To deal in grain


Links
Proverbs 11:26 NIV
Proverbs 11:26 NLT
Proverbs 11:26 ESV
Proverbs 11:26 NASB
Proverbs 11:26 KJV

Proverbs 11:26 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 11:26 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 11:26 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 11:26 French Bible
Proverbs 11:26 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 11:26 People curse someone who withholds grain (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 11:25
Top of Page
Top of Page