The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 13:25
What does Proverbs 13:25 mean?
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Proverbs 13:25
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This proverb highlights that true satisfaction isn't about abundance, but about having enough to meet your needs with a contented heart. The righteous find peace and sufficiency in what they have, while the wicked, even with possessions, are characterized by a restless hunger and lack of fulfillment.
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb concludes a section comparing the ways of the righteous and the wicked, contrasting their outcomes. Following verses that highlight the wisdom of good counsel and the folly of the proud, this verse speaks to the tangible results of living a righteous life versus a wicked one. It suggests that while the righteous experience contentment and sufficiency, the wicked often face lack and dissatisfaction, even amidst material possessions.
Does having 'enough' mean having a lot of stuff? This verse suggests it's more about the heart than the pantry.
The Richness of Enough
The verse contrasts the righteous and the wicked, not in terms of abundance, but in terms of satisfaction. The righteous person "has enough to satisfy his appetite." This isn't about a lavish feast, but a sufficiency that brings contentment. It speaks to a state where desires are moderate and gratitude fills the heart, leading to a genuine sense of having enough.
The Unfulfilled Desire
Conversely, the "belly of the wicked suffers want." This doesn't necessarily mean they are starving, but that their desires are insatiable. They may hoard possessions, yet remain deeply unsatisfied, constantly craving more. This lack isn't just physical; it's a spiritual and emotional emptiness that material gain can't fill.
Why does the righteous person find satisfaction where the wicked finds lack? It's a combination of divine favor and personal discipline.
The Blessing of Moderation
The righteous person's satisfaction comes partly from God's blessing on their provision and partly from their own moderation. They are temperate, not indulging in excess or luxury. Their needs are met, and they have a heart that appreciates what they have, leading to genuine satisfaction.
Divine Order and Consequences
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Proverbs presents these outcomes as part of a divinely ordered system. God favors the righteous, ensuring they have what they need and find comfort in it. The wicked, on the other hand, often face consequences for their actions, leading to a perpetual state of dissatisfaction, whether through actual poverty or an unending chase for more.
Understand the original words
rasha' · Hebrew Noun
Those who willfully reject God’s authority and wisdom, living in ways that are contrary to His character and laws.
This Psalm echoes Proverbs, stating that 'a little that a righteous person has is better than the riches of many wicked people,' highlighting the sufficiency and contentment found in righteousness, even with less.
Proverbs 10:3This verse directly parallels Proverbs 13:25 by stating that 'The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked,' emphasizing God's provision for the righteous and the unfulfilled desires of the wicked.
Philippians 4:11-12Paul speaks of learning to be content in all circumstances, whether having plenty or going hungry, which aligns with the 'satisfying of the soul' for the righteous, suggesting contentment as a deeper satisfaction than mere physical fullness.
Matthew 6:33Jesus' teaching to 'seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness' implies that prioritizing God leads to provision for all needs, mirroring how the righteous are provided for, while the wicked, who chase worldly things, often find their desires unsatisfied.
gillProverbs 13:25: "The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want."
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul,.... He is blessed with a sufficient competency to live upon; and he is contented with what he has, and uses it moderately; he has enough to eat, and is contented with his portion, and eats no more than sufficeth; he eats to the satisfying of his appetite, and no more; he does not indulge to luxury and excess: and so as to spiritual thi…
jfbProverbs 13:25: "The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want."
- The comparative temporal prosperity of the righteous and wicked, rather than contentment and discontent, is noted.
This proverb highlights that true satisfaction isn't about abundance, but about having enough to meet your needs with a contented heart. The righteous find peace and sufficiency in what they have, while the wicked, even with possessions, are characterized by a restless hunger and lack of fulfillment.
This proverb concludes a section comparing the ways of the righteous and the wicked, contrasting their outcomes. Following verses that highlight the wisdom of good counsel and the folly of the proud, this verse speaks to the tangible results of living a righteous life versus a wicked one. It suggests that while the righteous experience contentment and sufficiency, the wicked often face lack and dissatisfaction, even amidst material possessions.
This proverb concludes a section comparing the ways of the righteous and the wicked, contrasting their outcomes. Following verses that highlight the wisdom of good counsel and the folly of the proud, this verse speaks to the tangible results of living a righteous life versus a wicked one. It suggests that while the righteous experience contentment and sufficiency, the wicked often face lack and dissatisfaction, even amidst material possessions.
"The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want." — This proverb highlights that true satisfaction isn't about abundance, but about having enough to meet your needs with a contented heart. The righteous find peace and sufficiency in what they have, wh…
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Last reviewed October 2026