Kindness to the poor
The Hebrew word for "kindness" here is "חָנַן" (chanan), which conveys a sense of grace, mercy, and favor. In the ancient Near Eastern context, showing kindness to the poor was not merely an act of charity but a moral obligation deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The poor, often marginalized and vulnerable, were to be treated with compassion and dignity. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that true religion involves caring for those in need, reflecting God's own character of mercy and love.

is a loan to the LORD
The concept of lending to the LORD is profound and unique. The Hebrew word for "loan" is "לָוָה" (lavah), which means to join or to bind. This suggests that acts of kindness to the poor are not just transactions but are spiritually binding commitments to God Himself. In the ancient world, loans were serious commitments, often involving pledges and oaths. By equating kindness to the poor with a loan to God, the verse elevates the act to a divine transaction, implying that God Himself stands as the guarantor of the debt. This reflects a deep trust in God's justice and faithfulness.

and He will repay the lender
The assurance that God will repay the lender is a promise of divine recompense. The Hebrew word for "repay" is "שָׁלַם" (shalam), which means to make whole or to restore. This word is related to "shalom," meaning peace or completeness. The promise of repayment is not necessarily material but encompasses spiritual and eternal rewards. In the biblical narrative, God is portrayed as a just and faithful provider who honors those who honor Him by caring for the least of these. This assurance encourages believers to act selflessly, trusting that their deeds are seen and valued by God, who will ultimately bring about justice and restoration.

(17) Lendeth unto the Lord.--Who "for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich" (2Corinthians 8:9), and Who regards all done to one of his poor brethren as done unto Himself (Matthew 25:40).

Verse 17. - He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord. English Church people are familiar with this distich, as being one of the sentences of Scripture read at the Offertory. The word for "poor" is here dal, "feeble" (see on vers. 1 and 4). It is a beautiful thought that by showing mercy and pity we are, as it were, making God our debtor; and the truth is wonderfully advanced by Christ, who pronounces (Matthew 25:40), "Inasmuch as ye have done it mite one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (see on Proverbs 11:24; 28:27). St. Chrysostom ('Hom.,' 15, on 1 Corinthians 5), "To the more imperfect this is what we may say, Give of what you have unto the needy. Increase your substance. For, saith he, 'He that giveth unto the poor lendeth unto God.' But if you are in a hurry, and wait not for the time of retribution, think of those who lend money to men; for not even these desire to get their interest immediately; but they are anxious that the principal should remain a good long while in the hands of the borrower, provided only the repayment be secure, and they have no mistrust of the borrower. Let this be done, then, in the present case also. Leave them with God, that he may pay thee thy wages manifold. Seek not to have the whole here; for if you recover it all here, how will you receive it back there? And it is on this account that God stores them up there, inasmuch as this present life is full of decay. But he gives even here also; for, 'Seek ye,' saith he, 'the kingdom of heaven, and all these things shall be added unto you.' Well, then, let us look towards that kingdom, and not be in a hurry for the repayment of the whole, lest we diminish our recompense. But let us wait for the fit season. For the interest in these cases is not of that kind, but is such as is meet to be given by God. This, then, having collected together in great abundance, so let us depart hence, that we may obtain beth the present and the future blessings" (Oxford transl.). That which he hath given will he pay him again; Vicissitudinem suam reddet ei, Vulgate, "According to his gift will he recompense him." גִּמוּל (gemul), "good deed" (Proverbs 12:14, where it is rendered "recompense"). Ecclus. 32(35):10, etc., "Give unto the Most High according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten give with a cheerful eye. For the Lord recompenseth, and will give thee seven times as much." There are proverbs rife in other lands to the same effect. The Turk says, "What you give in charity in this world you take with you after death. Do good, and throw it into the sea if the fish does not know it, God does." And the Russian, "Throw bread and salt behind you, you get them before you" (Lane).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Kindness
ח֣וֹנֵֽן (ḥō·w·nên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore

to the poor
דָּ֑ל (dāl)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1800: Dangling, weak, thin

is a loan
מַלְוֵ֣ה (mal·wêh)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3867: To twine, to unite, to remain, to borrow, to lend

to the LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and He will repay
יְשַׁלֶּם־ (yə·šal·lem-)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

[the lender].
לֽוֹ׃ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 19:17 He who has pity on the poor (Prov. Pro Pr)