Proverbs 11:24There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~950 BC. Solomon watching merchants and farmers in Jerusalem's markets, observing how generous traders prospered while hoarders struggled...
The emotion here: amazed by the paradox of generosity creating abundance
The original word
mefazzēr (מְפַזֵּר) — one who scatters seed generously across a field, trusting the harvest
Why it matters
Ancient farmers had to choose: save seed for security or scatter it for potential abundance
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 11:24
The 'scattering' isn't random — it's the deliberate, skilled action of a farmer who understands seasons
Common misconceptionPeople think this guarantees financial return on giving, but Solomon is describing a spiritual principle — generous hearts create generous communities.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 11:24
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 11:24 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 11:24 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the United Kingdom period. The dominant emotion in this verse is grateful, with a comfort power of 50% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include generosity, economy, paradox. Notable phrases: one who scatters, and increases; withholds more than appropriate, gains poverty. This verse contains a promise of God.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grateful
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7
“It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”
— Acts 2:21
“for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”
— Ephesians 2:8
“So now it wasn't you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land o…”
— Genesis 45:8
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 11:24 mean to you, today?
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