Proverbs 6:30
New International Version
People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving.

New Living Translation
Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving.

English Standard Version
People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his appetite when he is hungry,

Berean Standard Bible
Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.

King James Bible
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

New King James Version
People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.

New American Standard Bible
People do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;

NASB 1995
Men do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;

NASB 1977
Men do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;

Legacy Standard Bible
Men do not despise a thief if he steals To fill himself when he is hungry;

Amplified Bible
People do not despise a thief if he steals To satisfy himself when he is hungry;

Christian Standard Bible
People don’t despise the thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
People don’t despise the thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry.

American Standard Version
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy himself when he is hungry:

Contemporary English Version
We don't put up with thieves, not even with one who steals for something to eat.

English Revised Version
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
People do not despise a thief who is hungry when he steals to satisfy his appetite,

Good News Translation
People don't despise a thief if he steals food when he is hungry;

International Standard Version
A thief isn't despised if he steals to meet his needs when he is hungry,

Majority Standard Bible
Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.

NET Bible
People do not despise a thief when he steals to fulfill his need when he is hungry.

New Heart English Bible
Men do not despise a thief, if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry:

Webster's Bible Translation
Men do not despise a thief, if he stealeth to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

World English Bible
Men don’t despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They do not despise the thief, "" When he steals to fill his soul when he is hungry,

Young's Literal Translation
They do not despise the thief, When he stealeth to fill his soul when he is hungry,

Smith's Literal Translation
They will not despise a thief if he shall steal to fill up his soul; for he will be hungry.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The fault is not so great when a man hath stolen: for he stealeth to fill his hungry soul:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Not so great is the fault when someone has stolen. For he steals so as to satisfy a hungry soul.

New American Bible
Thieves are not despised if out of hunger they steal to satisfy their appetite.

New Revised Standard Version
Thieves are not despised who steal only to satisfy their appetite when they are hungry.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
No one wonders at a thief when he is caught stealing, for he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And not to wonder at one who is caught stealing, because he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal To satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
It is not to be wondered at if one should be taken stealing, for he steals that when hungry he may satisfy his soul:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Warnings Against Adultery
29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. 30Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. 31Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.…

Cross References
Exodus 22:1-4
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. / If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. / But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft. ...

Matthew 12:1-8
At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them. / When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...

Luke 6:1-5
One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them. / But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ...

1 Samuel 21:1-6
Then David came to Nob, to Ahimelech the priest. And when Ahimelech met David, he trembled and asked him, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” / “The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place. / Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever can be found.” ...

Deuteronomy 23:24-25
When you enter your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, but you must not put any in your basket. / When you enter your neighbor’s grainfield, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but you must not put a sickle to your neighbor’s grain.

Mark 2:23-28
One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain as they walked along. / So the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” / Jesus replied, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? ...

Job 24:14
When daylight is gone, the murderer rises to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief.

James 2:10-11
Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. / For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

Romans 13:9
The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 5:19
So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Leviticus 6:1-5
And the LORD said to Moses, / “If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him or stolen, or if he extorts his neighbor / or finds lost property and lies about it and swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that a man might commit— ...

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 61:8
For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Jeremiah 7:9-11
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’? / Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 18:10-13
Now suppose that man has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these things, / though the father has done none of them: Indeed, the son eats at the mountain and defiles his neighbor’s wife. / He oppresses the poor and needy; he commits robbery and does not restore a pledge. He lifts his eyes to idols; he commits abominations. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

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Appetite Despise Fill Food Hunger Hungry Low Need Opinion Satisfy Soul Starving Steal Stealeth Steals Thief
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Appetite Despise Fill Food Hunger Hungry Low Need Opinion Satisfy Soul Starving Steal Stealeth Steals Thief
Proverbs 6
1. against indebtedness
6. idleness
12. and mischievousness
16. seven things detestable to God
20. the blessings of obedience
25. the mischief of unfaithfulness














Men do not despise
The phrase "Men do not despise" suggests a societal understanding and empathy towards certain actions under specific circumstances. In the Hebrew context, the word for "despise" is "בּוּז" (buz), which means to hold in contempt or scorn. This indicates that while theft is generally condemned, there is a nuanced view when it comes to the motivations behind the act. Historically, this reflects a culture that recognizes human frailty and the desperate measures one might take in dire situations. It speaks to the broader biblical theme of mercy and understanding, as seen in other scriptures where God calls for compassion and justice.

the thief
The term "the thief" refers to one who takes what is not theirs. In Hebrew, the word is "גַּנָּב" (ganav), which is used throughout the Old Testament to describe someone who steals. The Bible consistently condemns theft, as seen in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:15). However, this verse acknowledges the complexity of human behavior and the reasons behind such actions. The thief here is not a hardened criminal but someone driven by necessity, which invites readers to consider the circumstances and motivations behind actions rather than judging solely by the act itself.

if he steals
The phrase "if he steals" introduces a conditional scenario, highlighting the act of theft as a response to a specific need. The Hebrew verb "גָּנַב" (ganav) is used here, emphasizing the act of taking something unlawfully. This conditional clause suggests that while the act of stealing is wrong, the motivation behind it can alter the perception of the act. It calls for discernment and understanding, encouraging believers to look beyond the surface and consider the heart and circumstances of individuals.

to satisfy his hunger
"To satisfy his hunger" provides the motivation behind the theft, which is a basic human need. The Hebrew word for "satisfy" is "מָלֵא" (male), meaning to fill or fulfill, and "hunger" is "נֶפֶשׁ" (nephesh), often translated as soul or life, but here it refers to physical hunger. This phrase underscores the desperation that can drive a person to commit acts they would not normally consider. It reflects a biblical understanding of human needs and the importance of compassion. Throughout scripture, God shows concern for the poor and hungry, urging His people to care for those in need (Isaiah 58:7, Matthew 25:35). This verse challenges believers to respond with empathy and support rather than judgment.

(30) Men do not despise a thief . . .--A man who is driven to theft by poverty is more worthy of pity than disdain; not so the adulterer. Again, the thief can make retribution, while the adulterer can have none to offer.

Verse 30. - The teacher continues his argument with another illustration, still keeping in view his object, which is to show that the punishment of the adulterer is a surely impending one and severe in its character. The argument in vers. 30-33 is one a fortiori. If men do not overlook but severely punish a crime which has been committed under extenuating circumstances, much less will they do so where the crime is of a much graver character and has nothing to excuse it. Theft and adultery are brought into comparison. Theft under all circumstances is a lesser crime than adultery, but here it is minimized to the lowest degree. The case of a man is taken who steals to satisfy his hunger; the extent of the theft cannot be large, but yet he is punished, and called upon to make the amplest restitution. Much more, does the teacher infer, will be the punishment, and equally certain, where adultery is in question, and the crime is of the most heinous character affecting the most precious interests, and indulged in from the lowest of motives. Men do not despise a thief, etc.; i.e. they do not condemn him under the circumstances, non grandis est culpa (Vulgate), "the fault is not a great one;" but they do despise an adulterer - him they hold in contempt as one "who lacketh understanding" and destroyeth his own soul (ver. 32). The verb buz has, however, been otherwise rendered as "to overlook." Zockler and Holden explain, "men do not overlook," though the former gives the literal sense as "men do not despise." Gesenius renders "despise," but explains, "i.e. they do not let him go unpunished." Vatablus, the Versions, Ariae, Montani, and Munsteri, Hitzig, Delitzsch, and Gesenius, Stuart, Muenscher, and Wordsworth, all agree m regarding the proper meaning of the verb to be "to despise" or "to treat scornfully." The verb buz, moreover, occurs in this sense in Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 11:12; Proverbs 13:13; Proverbs 14:21; Proverbs 23:9; and Song of Solomon 8:1, 7. Michaelis's explanation is as follows: "although a theft is deservedly regarded as infamous in the commonwealth, nevertheless, if it be compared with adultery, it is less wicked." The rendering of the LXX., οὐ θαυμαστὸν ἐάν ἁλῷ τις κλέπτων, i.e. "it is not a wonder if any thief be taken," it is difficult to reconcile with the text in the original, though it may be explained as expressing the certainty of arrest which follows theft, and thus gives colour to the secondary meaning attached to the verb, i.e. that of overlooking. The Syriac and Arabic Versions follow the LXX. while the Chaldee Paraphrase renders, "It is not a matter of surprise if a thief steals," etc. His soul; Hebrew, naph'sko. Nephesh is used here for desire, craving, or appetite, as in Ecclesiastes 6:2, 7; Ezekiel 7:19. "To satisfy his soul" is "to sustain his life." Anima, Vulgate; ψυχή, LXX.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[Men] do not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

despise
יָב֣וּזוּ (yā·ḇū·zū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 936: To disrespect

the thief
לַ֭גַּנָּב (lag·gan·nāḇ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1590: A stealer

if
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he steals
יִגְנ֑וֹב (yiḡ·nō·wḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive

to satisfy
לְמַלֵּ֥א (lə·mal·lê)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of

his
נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

hunger.
יִרְעָֽב׃ (yir·‘āḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7456: To be hungry


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:30 Men don't despise a thief if he (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 6:29
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