The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
What does Proverbs 11:25 mean?
Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Proverbs 11:24-25 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Proverbs 11:25
Liberal soul - literally, "the soul that blesses," i. e., gives freely and fully. The similitudes are both of them essentially Eastern. Fatness, the sleek, well filled look of health, becomes the figure of prosperity, as leanness of misfortune Proverbs 13:4 ; Proverbs 28:25 ; Psalm 22:29 ; Isaiah 10:16 . Kindly acts come as the refreshing dew and soft rain from heaven upon a thirsty land.
Key words
- liberal
-
The liberal soul shall be made fat,.
Context in Proverbs 11
Show chapter context
Proverbs 11 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as Solomonic proverb collections. Proverbs offers compact instruction on speech, work, wealth, friendship, sex, discipline, justice, and wisdom as a way of life before God. Read this chapter with the wider themes of wisdom, fear of the Lord, and speech in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
Bible verses about money and wealth
What Scripture teaches about riches, generosity, contentment, the dangers of greed, and the right use of material possessions.
What the Bible says about giving, tithing, sharing freely, and the blessedness of a generous heart.
Bible verses about anxiety and fear
Verses for readers searching for biblical language about fear, worry, troubled thoughts, and the call to trust God under pressure.
Verses on the fear of the Lord, wise speech, practical judgment, teachability, and the difference between biblical wisdom and mere cleverness.
Bible verses about justice and mercy
Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.