Log inSign up

Proverbs 11 · a question people ask

"He who is wise wins souls" (11:30). Is this about bringing people to faith?

In the text

The verse says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls" (11:30). In Hebrew wins souls is two words: a form of laqach, which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "take", and nefashot, the plural of nefesh, the word of soul in 11:17 and 11:25 (tap wins). The same two words stand together elsewhere of taking a life: "It takes away the life of its owners" (Proverbs 1:19), and Elijah's prayer, "Now, O LORD, take away my life" (1 Kings 19:4). Here they are said of the wise, in the same verse as "a tree of life" (11:30). The verse doesn't say whose souls, or how or to what the wise wins them, and it says nothing of faith, preaching or a message. These notes don't fill that in.

The verses

“The merciful man does good to his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.”
Proverbs 11:17 · World English Bible
“The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.”
Proverbs 11:25 · World English Bible
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. He who is wise wins souls.”
Proverbs 11:30 · World English Bible
“So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain. It takes away the life of its owners.”
Proverbs 1:19 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Proverbs 11

Proverbs 11: Accurate weights

One frame holds a pair of scales and a heart: "A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but accurate weights are his delight" (11:1), and the perverse in heart are "an abomination to the LORD", the blameless "his delight" (11:20). And the Hebrew word for righteousness, tsedaqah, comes five times in this chapter, more than in any other chapter of Proverbs.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekProverbs 11 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Proverbs 11

All questions about Proverbs →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions