The Meaning of Proverbs 22:23 Explained

Proverbs 22:23

KJV: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

YLT: For Jehovah pleadeth their cause, And hath spoiled the soul of their spoilers.

Darby: for Jehovah will plead their cause, and despoil the soul of those that despoil them.

ASV: For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For the LORD  will plead  their cause,  and spoil  the soul  of those that spoiled  them. 

What does Proverbs 22:23 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 22

1  A good name is more desirable than great wealth

What do the individual words in Proverbs 22:23 mean?

for Yahweh will plead their cause and plunder - those who plunder them the soul of
כִּֽי־ יְ֭הוָה יָרִ֣יב רִיבָ֑ם וְקָבַ֖ע אֶת־ קֹבְעֵיהֶ֣ם נָֽפֶשׁ

יְ֭הוָה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: Jehovah—used primarily in the combination ‘Lord Jehovah’.
יָרִ֣יב  will  plead 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רִיב  
Sense: to strive, contend.
רִיבָ֑ם  their  cause 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: רִיב 
Sense: strife, controversy, dispute.
וְקָבַ֖ע  and  plunder 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: קָבַע  
Sense: (Qal) to rob.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
קֹבְעֵיהֶ֣ם  those  who  plunder  them 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: קָבַע  
Sense: (Qal) to rob.
נָֽפֶשׁ  the  soul  of 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: נֶפֶשׁ  
Sense: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion.