True compassion recognizes the needs of the poor, and genuine friendship remains steadfast through every season.
When Solomon writes that “All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone” (Proverbs 19:7), he highlights a painful reality: those who lack wealth and resources often face isolation and rejection. The phrase “all the brothers of a poor man hate him” underscores how even familial bonds can be strained when poverty comes into play. In ancient Israel, family loyalty was highly treasured; therefore, it is especially concerning that relatives would turn away. This reveals an urgent moral responsibility: God’s people are called to care for the less fortunate, reflecting divine compassion rather than turning them away (Matthew 25:35).
The proverb continues, saying “How much more do his friends abandon him!” (Proverbs 19:7). Friends, who are expected to support and encourage, prove unreliable for the destitute. The verse then offers the image of the poor person who “pursues them with words, but they are gone” (Proverbs 19:7). This phrase suggests that despite repeated cries for help or companionship, the impoverished individual finds no response. In biblical culture, relationships were grounded in mutual provision and shared benefits. When a person could no longer offer worldly advantages, they might suddenly discover that supposedly loyal friends vanish from their lives—an indictment of shallow relationships that are based primarily on material gain. Jesus, in the New Testament, calls believers to offer assistance to those in need (Luke 14:13-14), contrasting this worldly inclination to desert the poor.
Earlier and later verses in Proverbs convey that genuine righteousness involves faithfulness and empathy, demonstrating the heart of God’s character. This passage counsels us to reflect on our own attitudes: do we only befriend others for personal benefit, or do we extend mercy and care to our neighbors regardless of their financial status? Scripture consistently assures that God sees the plight of the poor (James 2:5) and calls His people to be a source of comfort and stability. When we uphold justice and compassion for the vulnerable, we mirror the love shown by Jesus, who consistently elevated those overlooked by society.
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Proverbs 19:7 meaning
When Solomon writes that “All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone” (Proverbs 19:7), he highlights a painful reality: those who lack wealth and resources often face isolation and rejection. The phrase “all the brothers of a poor man hate him” underscores how even familial bonds can be strained when poverty comes into play. In ancient Israel, family loyalty was highly treasured; therefore, it is especially concerning that relatives would turn away. This reveals an urgent moral responsibility: God’s people are called to care for the less fortunate, reflecting divine compassion rather than turning them away (Matthew 25:35).
The proverb continues, saying “How much more do his friends abandon him!” (Proverbs 19:7). Friends, who are expected to support and encourage, prove unreliable for the destitute. The verse then offers the image of the poor person who “pursues them with words, but they are gone” (Proverbs 19:7). This phrase suggests that despite repeated cries for help or companionship, the impoverished individual finds no response. In biblical culture, relationships were grounded in mutual provision and shared benefits. When a person could no longer offer worldly advantages, they might suddenly discover that supposedly loyal friends vanish from their lives—an indictment of shallow relationships that are based primarily on material gain. Jesus, in the New Testament, calls believers to offer assistance to those in need (Luke 14:13-14), contrasting this worldly inclination to desert the poor.
Earlier and later verses in Proverbs convey that genuine righteousness involves faithfulness and empathy, demonstrating the heart of God’s character. This passage counsels us to reflect on our own attitudes: do we only befriend others for personal benefit, or do we extend mercy and care to our neighbors regardless of their financial status? Scripture consistently assures that God sees the plight of the poor (James 2:5) and calls His people to be a source of comfort and stability. When we uphold justice and compassion for the vulnerable, we mirror the love shown by Jesus, who consistently elevated those overlooked by society.