Proverbs 14:4
New International Version
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.

New Living Translation
Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

English Standard Version
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

Berean Standard Bible
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

King James Bible
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

New King James Version
Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

New American Standard Bible
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean; But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

NASB 1995
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

NASB 1977
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much increase comes by the strength of the ox.

Legacy Standard Bible
Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

Amplified Bible
Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, But much revenue [because of good crops] comes by the strength of the ox.

Christian Standard Bible
Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of an ox.

American Standard Version
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Contemporary English Version
Without the help of an ox there can be no crop, but with a strong ox a big crop is possible.

English Revised Version
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Where there are no cattle, the feeding trough is empty, but the strength of an ox produces plentiful harvests.

Good News Translation
Without any oxen to pull the plow your barn will be empty, but with them it will be full of grain.

International Standard Version
Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but profits come through the strength of the ox.

Majority Standard Bible
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox.

NET Bible
Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is clean, but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen.

New Heart English Bible
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Webster's Bible Translation
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

World English Bible
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Without oxen a stall [is] clean, "" And great [is] the increase by the power of the ox.

Young's Literal Translation
Without oxen a stall is clean, And great is the increase by the power of the ox.

Smith's Literal Translation
In no oxen the stall clean, and much increase in the strength of the ox.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Where there are no oxen, the crib is empty: but where there is much corn, there the strength of the ox is manifest.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Where there are no oxen, the feeding trough is empty. But where there are many crops, there the strength of the ox is manifest.

New American Bible
Where there are no oxen, the crib is clean; but abundant crops come through the strength of the bull.

New Revised Standard Version
Where there are no oxen, there is no grain; abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Where there are no oxen, the cribs are clean; but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Where there are no oxen, the stalls are clean, and the abundance of crops is by the power of the ox.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean; But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Where no oxen are, the cribs are clean; but where there is abundant produce, the strength of the ox is apparent.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Wise Woman
3The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. 4Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox. 5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.…

Cross References
Proverbs 12:11
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.

Proverbs 13:23
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but without justice it is swept away.

Proverbs 24:27
Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.

Ecclesiastes 10:10
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.

1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.”

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Luke 10:7
Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

1 Timothy 5:18
For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

Proverbs 6:6-8
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.

Proverbs 10:4
Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 20:4
The slacker does not plow in season; at harvest time he looks, but nothing is there.

Proverbs 21:5
The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Proverbs 28:19
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Matthew 25:14-30
For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

clean

Amos 4:6
And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

but

Proverbs 13:23
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

1 Corinthians 9:9-11
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? …

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Abundant Clean Crib Crops Empty Grain Great Harvest Increase Manger Ox Oxen Power Revenue Stall Strength
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Proverbs 14
1. A wise woman builds her house














Where there are no oxen,
In ancient agrarian societies, oxen were essential for plowing fields and performing heavy labor. The absence of oxen signifies a lack of resources necessary for productivity and growth. Biblically, oxen are often associated with strength and service (Deuteronomy 25:4). The absence of oxen can symbolize a lack of preparation or investment in what is needed for future success.

the manger is empty,
The manger, or feeding trough, being empty indicates a lack of sustenance and provision. In a broader spiritual sense, this can represent the emptiness that comes from not investing in spiritual growth or neglecting one's responsibilities. The empty manger can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness or lack of fruitfulness, as seen in other scriptures that emphasize the importance of bearing fruit (John 15:4-5).

but an abundant harvest
The concept of an abundant harvest is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing blessing, prosperity, and the results of diligent work (Galatians 6:9). In a spiritual context, it can represent the fruits of the Spirit or the rewards of faithful service to God. The harvest is often used as a metaphor for the gathering of souls or the end times (Matthew 9:37-38).

comes through the strength of the ox.
The strength of the ox is a symbol of power and capability. In biblical times, oxen were valued for their ability to perform hard labor, which directly contributed to a successful harvest. This phrase emphasizes the importance of investing in the right resources and tools to achieve desired outcomes. Spiritually, it can be seen as a call to rely on God's strength and provision, as well as the importance of hard work and diligence (Proverbs 12:11). The ox can also be seen as a type of Christ, who bears our burdens and enables us to produce spiritual fruit (Matthew 11:28-30).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Oxen
In ancient agrarian societies, oxen were essential for plowing fields and performing heavy labor. They symbolize strength, productivity, and the means to achieve a bountiful harvest.

2. Manger
A feeding trough for animals, representing the resources and provisions necessary for sustaining livestock and, by extension, the means of production.

3. Harvest
The gathering of crops, symbolizing the results of hard work and the blessings of productivity.
Teaching Points
The Necessity of Resources for Productivity
Just as oxen are necessary for a bountiful harvest, we need the right resources and tools to be productive in our lives. This can apply to our spiritual lives, careers, and personal growth.

The Value of Hard Work
The proverb highlights the importance of diligence and effort. Without the hard work symbolized by the oxen, there is no harvest. Christians are called to work diligently in all they do as unto the Lord.

Stewardship and Planning
Managing resources wisely is crucial. The presence of oxen implies planning and investment. We are called to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, whether it be time, talents, or treasures.

Trust in God's Provision
While human effort is necessary, the ultimate success and abundance come from God. We must trust in His provision and timing, recognizing that He is the source of all blessings.(4) Where no oxen are, the crib is clean . . .--A proverb which may be taken in various ways. Some have seen in it an exhortation to kindness towards animals in consideration of their great usefulness. Others, that labour has its disagreeable aspect, but also brings its reward, whether material prosperity ("much increase") or a more enduring reward. (Comp. Galatians 6:9.)

Verse 4. - Where no oxen (cattle) are, the crib is clean. This does not mean, as some take it, that labour has its rough, disagreeable side, yet in the end brings profit; but rather that without bullocks to labour in the fields, or cows to supply milk - that is, without toil and industry, and necessary instruments - the crib is empty, there is nothing to put in the granary, there are no beasts to fatten. The means must be adapted to the end. Much increase is by the strength of the ox. This, again, is not an exhortation to kindness towards animals, which makes no antithesis to the first clause; but it is parallel with Proverbs 12:11, and means that where agricultural works are diligently carried on (the "ploughing ox" being taken as the type of industry), large returns are secured. Septuagint, "Where fruits are plentiful the strength of the ox is manifest."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Where there are no
בְּאֵ֣ין (bə·’ên)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

oxen,
אֲ֭לָפִים (’ă·lā·p̄îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 504: A family, an ox, cow

the manger
אֵב֣וּס (’ê·ḇūs)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 18: A crib, feeding trough

is empty,
בָּ֑ר (bār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1249: Beloved, pure, empty

but an abundant
וְרָב־ (wə·rāḇ-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

harvest comes
תְּ֝בוּא֗וֹת (tə·ḇū·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8393: Product, revenue

through the strength
בְּכֹ֣חַ (bə·ḵō·aḥ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

of the ox.
שֽׁוֹר׃ (šō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7794: A head of cattle (bullock, ox, etcetera)


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are the crib (Prov. Pro Pr)
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