Definition: If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
Explanation: Okay, letโs break down this proverb โ โIf you have nothing to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?โ โ in a way thatโs easy to understand. Here's the core meaning: This verse is essentially saying: โItโs unfair for someone to take away what you have if you don't have anything to lose.โ Letโs unpack it further: "If you have nothing to pay..." โ This refers to a situation where someone is struggling financially. They might be facing hardship, needing support, or simply not having enough money. "...why should he take away thy bed from under thee?" โ This is the key part. โThy bedโ represents your possessions, your resources, and what you have thatโs important to you. "Take away" means to remove it, to deprive you of something valuable. The underlying message is about: Fairness: It highlights an imbalance in a situation where someone is taking advantage of someone else's misfortune. Responsibility: It suggests that people should be responsible for their own circumstances and not unfairly take things away from others when they lack resources. Self-Sufficiency: The verse implicitly encourages a focus on building your own security and independence rather than relying solely on external help or taking advantage of others. In short, itโs a warning against being taken advantage of and urging self-reliance. --- Do you want to explore this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain its historical context (where it's found in the Bible)? Discuss how it relates to broader themes like generosity or social justice? Give you a modern-day interpretation of the idea?