Proverbs 1:19 Meaning and Explanation
“So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Greed destroys those who pursue wealth through violence and crime.
The Context of Proverbs 1:19
The verse universalizes the lesson: greed leads to self-destruction.
What Does Proverbs 1:19 Mean?
This principle is universal: everyone who pursues gain through such means is on a path of self-destruction. Greed is the engine that drives the sinners' violence. The pursuit of wealth by any means necessary becomes the very thing that takes away their lives.
The irony is poignant: they kill to gain possessions, but in the end, their possessions and their lives are both lost. Greed promises enrichment but delivers death. This is not arbitrary punishment but the natural consequence of a life built on violence and crime.
Proverbs 1:19 in the Original Language
Greedy of gain (בָּצַע, batzah) — to cut off or gain by extortion; unscrupulous profit-seeking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 1:19
What does Proverbs 1:19 mean?
Greed destroys those who pursue wealth through violence and crime.
What is the context of Proverbs 1:19?
The verse universalizes the lesson: greed leads to self-destruction.