Proverbs 22:9

A generous person ¹  will be blessed, ²  for he gives some of his food ³  to the poor.

De 15:7-11; De 28:56; Job 31:16-20; Ps 41:1-3; Ps 112:9; Pr 11:25; Pr 19:17; Pr 21:13; Ec 11:1,2; Isa 32:8; Isa 58:7-12; Mt 20:15; Mt 25:34-40; Mr 7:22; Lu 6:35-38; Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:1,2; 2Co 9:6-11; 1Ti 6:18,19; Heb 6:10; Heb 13:16; 1Pe 4:9

¹ tn Heb “good of eye.” This expression is an attributed genitive meaning “bountiful of eye” (cf. KJV, ASV “He that hath a bountiful eye”). This is the opposite of the “evil eye” which is covetous and wicked. The “eye” is a metonymy representing looking well to people’s needs. So this refers to the generous person (cf. NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).

² tn The form יְבֹרָךְ (yÿvorakh) is a Pual imperfect (here in pause) from בָּרַךְ (barakh); the word means “blessed” in the sense of “enriched,” implying there is a practical reward for being generous to the poor.

³ sn It is from his own food that he gives to the poor. Of the many observations that could be made, it is worth noting that in blessing this kind of person God is in fact providing for the poor, because out of his blessing he will surely continue to share more.