KJV ORIGINAL
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
It's better to have a simple meal of vegetables where there is love, than to have a fancy feast of beef where there is hatred.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is saying that sharing even the simplest meal with people who love you is far better than eating expensive food with people who hate you.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, herbs and vegetables were the food of the poor, while a 'stalled ox' (a fattened bull kept in a stall) represented the finest, most expensive meat only the wealthy could afford. Solomon is contrasting the atmosphere of a meal - showing that love makes even humble food precious, while hatred spoils even the richest feast.
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