Proverbs 17:5Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
The setting
Ancient Israel, 950-600 BC. Court scribes recording wisdom for young rulers in Jerusalem, modern-day Israel...
The emotion here: righteous anger at injustice toward the vulnerable
The original word
charaph (חָרַף) — to reproach, defy with sharp words that cut like winter wind
Why it matters
In Solomon's time, mocking the poor was literally mocking God's image since humans bear His likeness
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 17:5
This isn't about charity — it's about recognizing God's image in every person
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about being nice to poor people. It's actually about recognizing that mocking anyone God made is directly insulting their Creator.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 17:5
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 17:5 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 17:5 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the Divided Kingdom period. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is prophetic. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include justice, compassion, divine judgment. Notable phrases: mocks the poor; reproaches his Maker; not be unpunished. This verse contains a promise of God.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 17:5 mean to you, today?
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