A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 10:15
What does Proverbs 10:15 mean?
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Proverbs 10:15
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What's easily missed is that the Hebrew word for "destruction" used for the poor also means "consternation" or "terror." So, poverty doesn't just ruin the poor externally; it crushes their spirit, making them fearful and unable to even defend themselves or act boldly, unlike the rich man whose wealth provides a false sense of security.
A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb comes from a long section of contrasting sayings about the wise and foolish, the righteous and wicked, and in this case, the rich and the poor. It sets up a stark comparison between the security wealth can provide and the vulnerability poverty imposes, highlighting how external circumstances can deeply affect one's ability to thrive or even survive. The saying immediately before speaks of the fool's ruin and the subsequent proverbs continue this pattern of antithesis and practical wisdom.
The verse paints a picture of wealth as a literal fortress. But what does that mean for the person inside?
Proverbs 10:15 states that 'A rich man's wealth is his strong city.' This isn't just about having money; it's about the security and advantages that wealth provides.
A Fortress Against Trouble
Wealth acts as a defense, shielding its owner from many dangers and calamities. Like a city wall, it can keep threats at bay, offering protection during difficult times, whether personal or societal.
A Foundation for Action
Beyond defense, wealth provides a platform. It grants a sense of power and independence, freeing up time and opportunity to pursue wisdom, make choices, and act with confidence. It's the 'stage' upon which one can build and advance.
While wealth builds walls, poverty seems to dismantle them. What does it mean for poverty to be a 'ruin'?
The flip side of the rich man's security is the plight of the poor: 'the poverty of the poor is their ruin.' This isn't merely a lack of money; it's a force that crushes and destroys.
Exposure to Evil
Poverty leaves individuals vulnerable. Without the resources to protect themselves, they are exposed to material hardship and moral dangers. They are 'feeble' and unable to easily defend their own well-being.
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Loss of Spirit and Voice
This lack of means can also steal courage and confidence. The weight of poverty can lead to fear, despair, and a sense of helplessness, effectively silencing their voice and hindering their ability to act or even think clearly. It can create a cycle that is incredibly difficult to escape.
Understand the original words
hown · Hebrew Noun
In Proverbs, this refers to material possessions or resources; while often a blessing, it can become a false source of security for the soul.
reysh · Hebrew Noun
The state of lacking basic necessities; in wisdom literature, it is sometimes used to illustrate the vulnerability of those without earthly resources, though the Bible consistently emphasizes God's care for them.
This passage highlights that wisdom and money both offer protection, echoing Proverbs 10:15's idea that wealth serves as a 'strong city' or defense.
Luke 6:20This verse presents a stark contrast to Proverbs 10:15 by declaring the poor blessed, showing a divine perspective on poverty that challenges the world's view of it as mere ruin.
Proverbs 18:11This verse directly parallels Proverbs 10:15, stating 'A rich man's wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall, in his own imagination,' emphasizing how wealth provides a sense of security, whether real or perceived.
James 2:5-6James exposes the societal injustice where the poor are often treated poorly, directly confronting the destructive reality of poverty described in Proverbs 10:15 and the potential arrogance of the wealthy.
ellicottProverbs 10:15: "The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty."
(15) The rich man’s wealth is his strong city — i.e., an actual protection to him against his enemies, for by it he can get aid; or (as Proverbs 18:11 ) it gives him the consciousness of power, courage: whereas poverty drags a man down, and prevents his advance in life, or makes him timid, and unable to defend himself.
pulpitProverbs 10:15: "The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty."
Verse 15. - His strong city (Proverbs 18:11). Wealth is a help in many ways, securing from dangers, giving time and opportunity for acquiring wisdom, making one independent and free in action (Ecclesiastes 7:12; Ecclus. 40:25, etc.). The destruction of the poor is their poverty. The poor are crushed, exposed to all kinds of evil, moral and material, by their want of means. The word for poor…
What's easily missed is that the Hebrew word for "destruction" used for the poor also means "consternation" or "terror." So, poverty doesn't just ruin the poor externally; it crushes their spirit, making them fearful and unable to even defend themselves or act boldly, unlike the rich man whose wealth provides a false sense of security.
This proverb comes from a long section of contrasting sayings about the wise and foolish, the righteous and wicked, and in this case, the rich and the poor. It sets up a stark comparison between the security wealth can provide and the vulnerability poverty imposes, highlighting how external circumstances can deeply affect one's ability to thrive or even survive. The saying immediately before speaks of the fool's ruin and the subsequent proverbs continue this pattern of antithesis and practical wisdom.
This proverb comes from a long section of contrasting sayings about the wise and foolish, the righteous and wicked, and in this case, the rich and the poor. It sets up a stark comparison between the security wealth can provide and the vulnerability poverty imposes, highlighting how external circumstances can deeply affect one's ability to thrive or even survive. The saying immediately before speaks of the fool's ruin and the subsequent proverbs continue this pattern of antithesis and practical wisdom.
"A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin." — What's easily missed is that the Hebrew word for "destruction" used for the poor also means "consternation" or "terror." So, poverty doesn't just ruin the poor externally; it crushes their spirit, ma…
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Last reviewed October 2026