It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.
The quality of our partners is more important than the quantity of our profits.
When choosing our friends, we should look beyond their financial assets—carefully.
Greater resources are no substitute for greater dependability.
Translation: lowly, spoil, proud
The Hebrew word for “lowly” here, עֲנָוִ֑ים (ge eh: pronounced ah-nee), is used 77 times in the Old Testament. It’s translated as “poor” in Proverbs 14:21: Who says money can’t buy happiness. It’s often also translated as “afflicted” and “humble.” When the term “lowly” is joined to the phrase, “of a humble spirit,” a group is well-delineated and doubly-defined—those who are meek, unpretentious, modest, and subdued.
“Spoil” here comes from the Hebrew word, שָׁ֝לָ֗ל (shalal: pronounced shaw-law), occurring 73 times and usually translated as “booty,” “plunder,” or even “prey”—goods that are taken violently. “Spoil” or loot often comes suddenly, and there are just and unjust examples. A just example is found at 1 Samuel 30:16, when the Israelites share the spoils of war with their evil enemies, the Amalekites and the Philistines. In contrast, Proverbs 1:13 speaks of spoil being shared among thieves and robbers. Spoil is not the product of diligent labour; it’s not an inheritance, a bumper crop, a great catch of fish, or even a lottery jackpot. Spoil is profit gained at another’s expense. Spoiling and taking, we win and others lose.
The Hebrew word for “the proud,” גֵּאִֽים׃ (ge eh: pronounced gay-eh) occurs eight times in the Old Testament, first in Job 40:11-12, where God’s wrath is directed against them. Avoid the proud, lest you get caught up in their punishment. The proud are marked out for punishment (Psalm 94:2, Isaiah 2:12-13, Jeremiah 48:29-30). God really despises arrogance. Septuagint, “Better is the man of gentle mind with humility, than he who divideth spoil with the violent.”
Commentaries
Says the Pulpit Commentary: “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, undergo their risks and anxieties, and participate in the crimes by which they gain their wealth.”
The New International Commentary on the Old Testament provides useful linguistic insight: “The link between this text and the previous one, Proverbs 16:18, is much clearer in Hebrew than in English. In Hebrew, we find two similar-sounding synonyms: kasal “to stumble” (v.18) and sapal “to be low” (v.19), and they are chiastically arranged. This means that in Hebrew there is some rhyme and symmetry to make the message more memorable. Pride is the first word in 16:8 and proud the last word in 16:9.”
The inclusion of the words “in spirit” between the words “humble” and “the lowly” suggests the nobility of one who, through affliction, has had his pride knocked out of him, yet has risen to God, lowly before God, rather than grovelled resentfully before men (Proverbs 3:34). The addition with “the proud” (see Proverbs 15:25) and its parallel “with the afflicted,” emphasizes that their prosperity comes at the expense of the humble and afflicted. Poverty and humility are natural allies. Impious pride revels in ill-gotten gain, but the triumph of the proud is brief (Proverbs 15:25).1
Principle vs. Principal
This proverb points to the classic battle between “principle” and “principal.” What will we love more, Almighty God and His ways, or the Almighty Dollar and its ways? What do we value more: Riches or righteousness? The struggle is real, the tension intense. It is hard to see others with abundance and be content with less. When should we walk away from easy money? The question then becomes, “How much less?” or the corollary, “How much is enough?” For another perspective check: Money or morals—what’s better? The struggle will not cease until the Final Judgement, and Heaven and Hell are permanently settled.
Spoil is stuff, and stuff easily becomes clutter. When we’re dead, it’s all clutter. We can’t enjoy any of it. So thank God for the old clunker we may drive: “Don’t laugh. It’s paid for.”
Glory or Guilt by Association
Birds of a feather flock together. You can gain blessings or curses simply by association. It’s like osmosis: The mannerisms, habits, speech patterns, and then goals of our associates, first we tolerate, then we accept, then we approve, then we mimic. And imperceptibly, their vices become our vices.
Sharing Loot
Greater resources do not neutralize the influence of bad companions. Sharing loot does not make it less dangerous. Sharing can make it worse—like spreading a virus. Daniel turned down easy money (Daniel 5:17) as did the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:16). Both men could have had great wealth very quickly, but they did not want it. I suspect they were seeking greater treasure in a different realm.
Our Maker, Saviour, and Friend
Jesus was born in a stable and swaddled in a manger. A manger is a feeding trough, used to give nourishment to beasts. Note the symbolism: Jesus later calls Himself as the bread of life (John 6:35) and the water of life (John 7:37). He came from above (John 3:31) to give life to us who live below.
Jesus, the Son of God, started on His life on Earth among the poorest, least influential, and most scorned people in society—with those who are humble and lowly.
- Memorize the text in your favourite translation and think about it often.
- Learn to be content with less stuff. Make your goal to be content with food and clothing as per 1 Timothy 6:8.
- Be careful with whom you associate. Consider both groups mentioned in the text. Consider Romans 12:16.
- Be careful not to be materialistic. Long term relationships with humble are much more important than more things, more stuff, more wealth. Greed is deadly.
Which of these steps, if any, does Jesus want you to take now? Ask Him.
Related Illustration1 Waltke, Bruce K. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament – The Book of Proverbs. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005.