Proverbs 16:19
New International Version
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

New Living Translation
Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

English Standard Version
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Berean Standard Bible
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

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

New King James Version
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

New American Standard Bible
It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud.

NASB 1995
It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

NASB 1977
It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Legacy Standard Bible
It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Amplified Bible
It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).

Christian Standard Bible
Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.

American Standard Version
Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Contemporary English Version
You are better off to be humble and poor than to get rich from what you take by force.

English Revised Version
Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Better to be humble with lowly people than to share stolen goods with arrogant people.

Good News Translation
It is better to be humble and stay poor than to be one of the arrogant and get a share of their loot.

International Standard Version
Better to be humble among the poor, than to share what is stolen with the proud.

Majority Standard Bible
It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

NET Bible
It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.

New Heart English Bible
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

Webster's Bible Translation
Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

World English Bible
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Better is humility of spirit with the poor, "" Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

Young's Literal Translation
Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

Smith's Literal Translation
Good the cast down of spirit with the humble more than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant.

New American Bible
It is better to be humble with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

New Revised Standard Version
It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
It is better to be humble and lowly in pride than he who divides spoil with the mighty.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The humble spirit and humble eyes are better than he that divides loot with the mighty.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the humble, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Better is a meek-spirited man with lowliness, than one who divides spoils with the proud.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.…

Cross References
James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Psalm 138:6
Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.

Isaiah 66:2
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.

1 Corinthians 1:28-29
He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.

Isaiah 2:11-12
The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. / For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.


Treasury of Scripture

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

to be

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 138:6
Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

than

Exodus 15:9
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

Isaiah 9:3
Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

Isaiah 10:6,13-15
I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets…

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Apportion Better Divide Gentle Humble Humility Lowly Meek Oppressed Part Plunder Poor Pride Proud Rewards Share Spirit Spoil War
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Apportion Better Divide Gentle Humble Humility Lowly Meek Oppressed Part Plunder Poor Pride Proud Rewards Share Spirit Spoil War
Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














Better to be lowly in spirit
The phrase "lowly in spirit" is derived from the Hebrew word "shaphal," which conveys a sense of humility and modesty. In the biblical context, being "lowly in spirit" is not about self-deprecation but about recognizing one's position before God. It is an acknowledgment of human limitations and a reliance on divine wisdom. Historically, humility has been a valued trait in Jewish culture, as seen in the lives of figures like Moses, who was described as "very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3). This humility is a spiritual posture that opens one to God's guidance and grace.

with the humble
The "humble" are those who live in a state of meekness and submission to God's will. The Hebrew word "anav" is often used to describe individuals who are gentle and lowly. In the ancient Near Eastern context, humility was often countercultural, as societies typically valued power and prestige. However, the biblical narrative consistently elevates the humble, promising that they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). This phrase encourages believers to seek companionship and community with those who embody humility, as they reflect the character of Christ.

than to divide the spoil
"Divide the spoil" refers to the distribution of goods or wealth acquired, often through conquest or victory. In ancient times, dividing the spoil was a common practice after a battle, symbolizing triumph and success. However, the proverb warns against the allure of material gain achieved through prideful means. The Hebrew word "shalal" for spoil indicates possessions that are transient and ultimately unsatisfying. This phrase serves as a reminder that true riches are found in spiritual wealth rather than material abundance.

with the proud
The "proud" are those who are haughty and self-reliant, often placing their trust in their own abilities rather than in God. The Hebrew word "ge'eh" describes individuals who are arrogant and boastful. Throughout Scripture, pride is consistently portrayed as a vice that leads to downfall, as seen in the account of King Nebuchadnezzar, whose pride led to his temporary downfall (Daniel 4). This phrase contrasts the fleeting nature of prideful gain with the enduring value of humility, urging believers to align themselves with God's values rather than the world's.

Verse 19. - This verse is connected in thought, as well as verbally, with the preceding. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly. The Revised Version has, with the poor; but "meek" or "lowly" better contrasts with "proud" of the second clause. Psalm 84:10, "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Than to divide the spoil with the proud. To share in the fruits of the operations and pursuits of the proud, and to enjoy their pleasures, a man must cast in his lot with them, uudergo their risks and anxieties, and participate in the crimes by which they gain their wealth. The result of such association was told in ver. 18. The Germans express the connection between abundance and folly by the terse apothegm, "Voll, toll;" "Full, fool." Septuagint, "Better is the man of gentle mind with humility, than he who divideth spoil with the violent."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
It is better
ט֣וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

to be lowly
שְׁפַל־ (šə·p̄al-)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8217: Depressed

in spirit
ר֭וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

among
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

the humble
עֲנָוִ֑ים (‘ă·nā·wîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble

than to divide
מֵֽחַלֵּ֥ק (mê·ḥal·lêq)
Preposition-m | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2505: To be smooth, to apportion, separate

the spoil
שָׁ֝לָ֗ל (lāl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7998: A prey, spoil, plunder, booty

with
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

the proud.
גֵּאִֽים׃ (gê·’îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1343: Lofty, arrogant


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:19 It is better to be (Prov. Pro Pr)
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