Proverbs 21:13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~970-930 BC. City gates where the poor would cry out for justice and help. Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: stern warning with concern for both rich and poor
The original word
dal (דַּל) — the weak, poor, helpless one who has been brought low by circumstances
Why it matters
Ancient city gates were the location of legal proceedings and where the poor would appeal for justice
Read with care
What most readers miss in Proverbs 21:13
This isn't just about money - it's about 'stopping your ears,' deliberately choosing not to hear their cry
Common misconceptionPeople think this only applies to extreme poverty, but it's about any time we deliberately ignore someone's genuine cry for help.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Proverbs 21:13
Bible Genome reading
Proverbs 21:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Proverbs 21:13 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the United Kingdom period. The setting is a royal palace. These words are attributed to Solomon. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include justice, compassion. Notable phrases: stops his ears; cry of the poor; shall not be heard. This verse contains a promise of God.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Proverbs 21:13 mean to you, today?
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