King James Version

What Does Proverbs 18:14 Mean?

Proverbs 18:14 in the King James Version says “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

Proverbs 18:14 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

12

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

13

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. answereth: Heb. returneth a word

14

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Read Proverbs 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This proverb presents one of Scripture's most profound observations about human nature. 'The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity' (רוּחַ־אִישׁ/ruach-ish, the human spirit) indicates that inner resilience enables people to endure physical suffering, poverty, persecution—almost any external hardship. History records countless examples of those who survived horrific circumstances through inner strength. But 'a wounded spirit who can bear?' (רוּחַ נְכֵאָה/ruach neke'ah, a stricken/crushed spirit) identifies the one unbearable condition. When the inner person is broken—through guilt, shame, betrayal, loss of hope—survival becomes impossible. This reveals humanity's fundamental spiritual nature. We are not merely physical beings who happen to have thoughts—we are fundamentally spiritual beings in physical bodies. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:4: 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God' (Matthew 4:4). Only God can heal the wounded spirit. David cried, 'A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise' (Psalm 51:17).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel experienced this truth corporately during the Babylonian exile. Physical hardship was bearable, but spiritual devastation—the destruction of the temple, seeming abandonment by God—crushed them. The psalmist lamented, 'By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept' (Psalm 137:1). Restoration came not through improved circumstances but through God's presence and promises renewed. In the New Testament era, believers endured persecution, poverty, and martyrdom with joy (Acts 5:41; Hebrews 10:34) because their spirits were sustained by Christ. But when believers fell into unrepentant sin—like the man in 1 Corinthians 5—spiritual brokenness required urgent restoration. The early church recognized that spiritual wounds demanded the Great Physician's intervention.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you experienced the difference between physical/circumstantial hardship and spiritual woundedness?
  2. How does understanding your fundamentally spiritual nature change your priorities and responses to life's challenges?
  3. Who do you know with a 'wounded spirit,' and how might you point them to the only One who can heal such wounds?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וְר֥וּחַ1 of 8

“The spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

אִ֭ישׁ2 of 8

“of a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יְכַלְכֵּ֣ל3 of 8

“will sustain”

H3557

properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)

מַחֲלֵ֑הוּ4 of 8

“his infirmity”

H4245

sickness

וְר֥וּחַ5 of 8

“The spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

נְ֝כֵאָ֗ה6 of 8

“but a wounded”

H5218

smitten, i.e., (figuratively) afflicted

מִ֣י7 of 8
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יִשָּׂאֶֽנָּה׃8 of 8

“who can bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 18:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 18:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 15:13Proverbs 17:222 Corinthians 12:9-101 Peter 1:6Psalms 147:3James 1:2

Test Your Knowledge

Proverbs 18 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterProverbs Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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