Proverbs Chapter 11 verse 26 Holy Bible
He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
read chapter 11 in ASV
He who keeps back grain will be cursed by the people; but a blessing will be on the head of him who lets them have it for a price.
read chapter 11 in BBE
He that withholdeth corn, the people curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
read chapter 11 in DARBY
He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
read chapter 11 in KJV
read chapter 11 in WBT
People curse someone who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
read chapter 11 in WEB
Whoso is withholding corn, the people execrate him, And a blessing `is' for the head of him who is selling.
read chapter 11 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 26. - He that withholdeth corn. The practice reprehended is not confined to any one time or place. The avaricious have always been found ready to buy corn and other necessary articles of consumption when plentiful, and wait till there was dearth in the market or scarcity in the land, and then sell them at famine prices. Amos sternly reproves this iniquity (Amos 8:4, etc.). It is a sin against justice and charity, and it is said of him who is guilty of it, the people shall curse him (Proverbs 24:24). Such selfishness has often given rise to tumult and bloodshed, and has been punished in a signal manner. The legend of Bishop Hatto shows the popular feeling concerning these Dardanarians, as they were called by Ulpian ('Digest. Justin.,' 47:11.6). Such a one St. Chrysostom ('Hom. in 1 Cor.,' 39) calls "a common enemy of the blessings of the world, and a foe to the liberality of the Lord of the world, and a friend of mammon, or rather his slave." The Septuagint gives a curious rendering: "He who hohleth corn may he leave it for the peoples!" i.e. may neither he nor his heirs be benefited by his store, but may it be distributed among others far and near! That selleth it; literally, that breaketh it, as it is said of Joseph when he sold corn to the Egyptians (Genesis 41:56; Genesis 42:6).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) He that withholdeth corn till it has reached an exorbitant price, "the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it" at a fair price. The truth of this is not affected by the fact that the dealer's selfishness is in the long run beneficial to the community by limiting consumption in consequence of the rise in the price of corn.
