The Meaning of Proverbs 17:5 Explained

Proverbs 17:5

KJV: Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

YLT: Whoso is mocking at the poor Hath reproached his Maker, Whoso is rejoicing at calamity is not acquitted.

Darby: Whoso mocketh a poor man reproacheth his Maker; he that is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent.

ASV: Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker; And he that is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Whoso mocketh  the poor  reproacheth  his Maker:  [and] he that is glad  at calamities  shall not be unpunished. 

What does Proverbs 17:5 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 17

1  Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked

What do the individual words in Proverbs 17:5 mean?

He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker He who is glad at calamity not will go unpunished
לֹעֵ֣ג לָ֭רָשׁ חֵרֵ֣ף עֹשֵׂ֑הוּ שָׂמֵ֥חַ לְ֝אֵ֗יד לֹ֣א יִנָּקֶֽה

לֹעֵ֣ג  He  who  mocks 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: לָעַג  
Sense: to mock, deride, ridicule.
לָ֭רָשׁ  the  poor 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: רוּשׁ  
Sense: to be poor, be in want, lack.
חֵרֵ֣ף  reproaches 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: חָרַף 
Sense: to reproach, taunt, blaspheme, defy, jeopardise, rail, upbraid.
עֹשֵׂ֑הוּ  his  Maker 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
שָׂמֵ֥חַ  He  who  is  glad 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: שָׂמֵחַ  
Sense: joyful, merry, glad.
לְ֝אֵ֗יד  at  calamity 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֵיד  
Sense: distress, burden, calamity.
יִנָּקֶֽה  will  go  unpunished 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָקָה  
Sense: to be empty, be clear, be pure, be free, be innocent, be desolate, be cut off.