Lexical Summary resh or rish: Poverty, destitution Original Word: רֵישׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance poverty Or resh {raysh}; or riysh {reesh}; from ruwsh; poverty -- poverty. see HEBREW ruwsh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rush Definition poverty NASB Translation poverty (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs רִישׁ, רֵישׁ, רֵאשׁ noun masculine poverty, only Proverbs; — רִישׁ Mal 28:19, suffix רִישׁוֺ Mal 31:7; רֵישׁ Mal 13:18, suffix רֵישֶׁ֑ךָ Mal 24:34 ("" מַחְסֹרֶיךָ), רֵישָׁם Mal 10:15 (opposed to עָשִׁיר); רֵאשׁ Mal 30:8 (opposed to עשֶׁר), suffix רֵאשֶׁ֑ךָ Mal 6:11 (= Mal 24:34, "" id.). רוּת proper name, feminine see below רעה. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope The noun רֵישׁ describes material destitution—life stripped to bare need. It is not merely low income but a condition in which daily survival is in doubt. In Proverbs it regularly stands in antithesis to wisdom, diligence, discipline, and divine sufficiency. Distribution in Scripture All seven occurrences lie in Proverbs (6:11; 10:15; 13:18; 24:34; 28:19; 30:8; 31:7). This concentration places the concept squarely within Wisdom Literature, where practical righteousness is applied to everyday economics. Poverty in Wisdom Theology Proverbs lays down a theology of consequence: choices rooted in folly invite רֵישׁ, while fear of the LORD and industrious wisdom guard against it. Poverty is neither romanticized nor treated as inevitable fate; it is often the foreseeable outcome of moral failure or misplaced trust. Primary Causes of Poverty Identified in Proverbs 1. Sloth (Proverbs 6:11; 24:34). “Poverty will come upon you like a robber” (Proverbs 6:11). The image underscores speed and violence—idleness opens the door to sudden ruin. 2. Ignoring Discipline (Proverbs 13:18). “Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline”. Refusal to accept correction destroys earning power and reputation alike. 3. Foolish Self-Indulgence (Proverbs 28:19). “Whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty”. Get-rich-quick schemes, gambling ventures, or irresponsible dreams siphon resources. 4. Social Dislocation (Proverbs 10:15). “Poverty is the ruin of the poor”. Wealth can be a “fortified city,” but the destitute stand exposed to every economic and political storm. 5. Divine Allotment (Proverbs 30:8). Agur petitions, “Give me neither poverty nor riches”. Here רֵישׁ is recognized as something God may allow, testing faith just as riches test humility. Spiritual Dimensions The term frequently points beyond bank accounts to a relational deficit with God. Where laziness, pride, or deception reign, poverty surfaces as an outward sign of inner disorder (compare Proverbs 30:8 with 28:19). Conversely, a modest life joined to reverence is extolled (Proverbs 15:16). Comparison with Other Hebrew Terms for the Poor Dal emphasizes weakness, ‛ani oppression, and ‛ebyôn extreme need. רֵישׁ focuses on the condition itself—“having nothing”—and thus serves as the destination toward which folly presses the unwise. Godly Response to Poverty 1. Prevention through Wisdom—teach diligence, discipline, and honest labor. Historical Context Ancient Israel relied on subsistence farming and seasonal labor. Failure in personal virtue could rapidly reduce a household to רֵישׁ. Yet Mosaic law built safety nets: gleaning (Leviticus 19:10), triennial tithes (Deuteronomy 14:28-29), and the Jubilee (Leviticus 25). Proverbs assumes these institutions while stressing that moral folly still courts disaster even in a just society. Ministry Implications Today • Disciple believers in work ethic as a facet of godliness. Christological Perspective Though Proverbs predates the Incarnation, its ethos pulses through the Gospel: Jesus “though He was rich, yet for your sakes became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). In Him, ultimate רֵישׁ—separation from God—is borne and reversed, empowering the church to proclaim good news to the poor both spiritually and materially. Summary רֵישׁ exposes the practical fallout of folly and the mercy of God who warns against it. Scripture calls believers to diligent labor, humble dependence, and compassionate engagement, knowing that true wealth is found in wisdom and in Christ Himself. Forms and Transliterations רִֽישׁ׃ רִישׁ֑וֹ רֵ֣אשׁ רֵ֣ישׁ רֵאשֶׁ֑ךָ רֵישֶׁ֑ךָ רֵישָֽׁם׃ ראש ראשך ריש ריש׃ רישו רישך רישם׃ rê·šām rê·še·ḵā reish reiSham reiShecha rêš rêšām rêšeḵā resh reShecha rî·šōw rîš Rish riSho rîšōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 6:11 HEB: וּבָֽא־ כִמְהַלֵּ֥ךְ רֵאשֶׁ֑ךָ וּ֝מַחְסֹֽרְךָ֗ כְּאִ֣ישׁ NAS: Your poverty will come KJV: So shall thy poverty come INT: will come A vagabond your poverty and your need man Proverbs 10:15 Proverbs 13:18 Proverbs 24:34 Proverbs 28:19 Proverbs 30:8 Proverbs 31:7 7 Occurrences |
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