The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this verse as a simple promise of material provision. But notice it speaks of the "soul" of the righteous not famishing, hinting at spiritual sustenance beyond mere food. And for the wicked, God doesn't just let them struggle; he actively "thwarts" or "thrusts away" their desires, meaning their cravings, however intense, will ultimately be unfulfilled and unsatisfying.
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of the opening of the wisdom section in Proverbs, a collection of sayings that contrast the ways of the wise and righteous with the foolish and wicked. It immediately follows the declaration that a wicked son brings shame while a righteous son is a joy, setting up a theme of divine consequences tied to one's character and actions. The verses that follow continue to draw sharp distinctions between the righteous and the wicked, illustrating how God's favor or disfavor plays out in their lives.
Do you ever worry about not having enough? This verse speaks directly to that anxiety, offering a profound assurance about God's care for those who walk with Him.
The first half of this verse is a powerful declaration of God's faithfulness: "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry." This isn't just about physical food, though God certainly can and does provide for our daily needs. The "soul" here refers to our very life, our inner being. God ensures that those who strive to live rightly, who seek His kingdom, will not be spiritually starved or utterly destitute.
Think about it: even when circumstances are tough, when believers face hardship, there's a deeper sustenance that God provides. It's the "bread of life" that truly satisfies, a connection with Him that keeps our spirits from crumbling. This promise echoes through Scripture, from the psalmist’s testimony to Jesus’ own teachings about God’s attention to even the smallest sparrow.
What happens to those who pursue their own selfish ambitions, seemingly ignoring God? This verse reveals a stark contrast.
The second part of the verse shifts focus dramatically: "but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." The original wording suggests God actively pushes away or thrusts aside the intense desires of the ungodly. It’s not just that they don't get what they want; God intervenes to prevent them from getting it, or at least from truly enjoying or benefiting from it.
This speaks to a deep-seated emptiness in the lives of those who reject God. They may pursue wealth, power, or pleasure with all their might, but their desires are ultimately futile. God frustrates their passionate cravings, leaving them unsatisfied. It's like watching someone constantly chase a mirage – they expend enormous energy, but the object of their desire remains perpetually out of reach, or turns to dust once grasped.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of God (YHWH), signifying His personal, faithful, and redemptive relationship with His people, often emphasizing His sovereignty and holiness.
tsaddiq · Hebrew Noun
One who is declared right with God through faith and follows His ways; the righteous are characterized by trust in God and adherence to His commands.
rasha · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, it refers to one who is morally corrupt, rejecting God's authority and pursuing their own evil desires, ultimately standing in opposition to the Lord.
This Psalm echoes the sentiment that the righteous are not abandoned to extreme want, confirming God's providential care for those who trust Him, even when they experience hardship.
Matthew 6:33Jesus' teaching here directly parallels Proverbs, promising that prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness leads to His provision for our needs, ensuring we won't 'famish' spiritually or ultimately physically.
Proverbs 13:25This verse offers a direct contrast, stating that the righteous 'eat and are satisfied,' while the stomach of the wicked goes wanting, reinforcing the idea that the wicked's desires are ultimately unfulfilled.
Philippians 4:12Paul's experience shows that true contentment isn't tied to earthly abundance; believers can thrive spiritually even amidst lack, highlighting that 'famishing' in the spiritual sense is prevented by Christ.
James 4:3This passage explains why the wicked's desires are often thwarted: they ask with wrong motives, seeking to gratify selfish desires rather than aligning with God's will, thus God 'repels' their craving.
pulpitProverbs 10:3: "The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked."
Verse 3. - The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish (comp. Proverbs 19:23). The soul is the life (comp. Proverbs 13:25). So the psalmist says (Psalm 37:25), "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread." Christ speaks of the providence that watches over the lower creatures, and draw…
clarkeProverbs 10:3: "The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked."
But he casteth away the substance of the wicked - But instead of רשעים reshaim, the wicked, בוגדים bogedim, hypocrites, or perfidious persons, is the reading of twelve or fourteen of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., and some editions; but it is not acknowledged by any of the ancient versions. The righteous have God for their feeder; and because of his infinite bounty…
It's easy to read this verse as a simple promise of material provision. But notice it speaks of the "soul" of the righteous not famishing, hinting at spiritual sustenance beyond mere food. And for the wicked, God doesn't just let them struggle; he actively "thwarts" or "thrusts away" their desires, meaning their cravings, however intense, will ultimately be unfulfilled and unsatisfying.
This verse is part of the opening of the wisdom section in Proverbs, a collection of sayings that contrast the ways of the wise and righteous with the foolish and wicked. It immediately follows the declaration that a wicked son brings shame while a righteous son is a joy, setting up a theme of divine consequences tied to one's character and actions. The verses that follow continue to draw sharp distinctions between the righteous and the wicked, illustrating how God's favor or disfavor plays out in their lives.
This verse is part of the opening of the wisdom section in Proverbs, a collection of sayings that contrast the ways of the wise and righteous with the foolish and wicked. It immediately follows the declaration that a wicked son brings shame while a righteous son is a joy, setting up a theme of divine consequences tied to one's character and actions. The verses that follow continue to draw sharp distinctions between the righteous and the wicked, illustrating how God's favor or disfavor plays out in their lives.
"The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked." — It's easy to read this verse as a simple promise of material provision. But notice it speaks of the "soul" of the righteous not famishing, hinting at spiritual sustenance beyond mere food. And for th…
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Last reviewed October 2026