Proverbs 28
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
2. a man] This is better taken collectively, and rendered men, as in R.V. text.

the state thereof] i.e. its stability. This rendering is retained in R.V. Others render (taking the word state in its more usual sense as an adverb) so, on that condition, sc. of its possessing men of understanding and knowledge, it (the land) shall be continued. But there seems hardly sufficient reason for laying such stress upon the condition, nor is there much force in saying the land shall continue.

The proverb is abundantly illustrated by the history of Israel. See, for example, 1 Kings 16:8-28.

A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
3. a poor man] Better, with R.V., a needy man, the Hebrew word being different from that rendered poor immediately after.

The proverb has commonly been held to refer to official oppression. “A man in authority is implied. In many Eastern countries the offices of government are frequently sold to needy men, who use their power to reimburse themselves by oppressing others,” Rel. Tr. Soc. Comm. But the scope of the proverb must not be restricted to this. It is quite general, and is verified in the exactions of the needy employer, or owner, or creditor among ourselves, as well as in the oppression of Oriental misrule.

“The hungry contractor undertakes the job at the lowest possible price, and secures his profit by getting hungrier and weaker creatures than himself to do the work at a price lower than possible, literally at starvation wages.” Horton.

leaveth no food] Heb. without food; Vulg. in quo paratur fames; which, instead of bringing fruitful seasons (Acts 14:17; Isaiah 30:23), takes away man’s food by uprooting the herbs of the field and washing the seed corn out of the earth.

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
4. the law] not in its Jewish form, “The Law,” sc. of Moses, but in its wider sense; and so in Proverbs 28:7; Proverbs 28:9, below. See Introd. p. 13.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
5. The intellectual condition depends upon the moral and spiritual. “Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge.” Comp. John 7:17.

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
6. The first half of the proverb occurs in Proverbs 19:1.

perverse in his ways] Lit. perverse of two ways: i.e. in double-dealing. Comp. “Woe … to the sinner that goeth two ways!” Sir 2:12; ἀνὴρ δίψυχος ἀκατάστατος ἐν πάσαις ταις ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ, James 1:8.

Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
7. riotous] Rather, gluttonous. See Proverbs 23:20, note.

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
8. unjust gain] Rather, increase, as A.V. marg. and R.V. text, μετὰ τόκων καὶ πλεονασμῶν, LXX. Comp. Leviticus 25:36-37.

The idea of its being “unjust” is implied by the word “usury” with which it is associated. The R.V. gives augmenteth, instead of increaseth, in the former part of the verse, as the Heb. word is not the same, as it there renders increase.

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
9. abomination] Comp. ch. Proverbs 15:8.

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
10. the upright &c.] Better, with R.V., the perfect shall inherit good.

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
11. searcheth him out] sees through him, as we should say, “Bene novit, neutiquam, ut Euripidis utamur dicto, τὸν εὐτυχοῦντα πάντʼ ἐπίστασθαι καλῶς,” Maurer.

When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
12. a man is hidden] Rather, men hide themselves, R.V. “Heb. must be searched for,” marg. Comp. Proverbs 28:28.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
14. feareth] i.e. to do wrong, with a wise and godly caution. ὂς καταπτήσσει πάντα διʼ εὐλάβειαν, LXX. Comp. the N.T. use of εὐλάβεια and its cognates, Hebrews 5:7; Hebrews 11:7.

mischief] “Or, calamity,” R.V. marg.

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
15. ranging] i.e. with a view to satisfy its hunger. The word is used in its secondary sense, hungry, Psalm 107:9. Comp. 1 Peter 5:8. λέων πεινῶν καὶ λύκος διψῶν, LXX., ursus esuriens, Vulg.

The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
16. The prince &c.] Lit. A prince that lacketh understanding and a great oppressor! i.e. the two are identical. There is no particle of connection or contrast between the two clauses of the verse, and R.V. marg. adopts the view that the whole verse is a continuous address or admonition: O prince that lackest understanding and art a great oppressor, he that, &c.

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
17. doeth violence to] Rather, is laden with, R.V. See Genesis 9:6.

Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
18. that is perverse in his ways] Or, walketh (understood from the first clause of the verse) perversely in two ways. “Heb. perverse of two ways.” R.V. marg. See Proverbs 28:6, note.

at once] Some commentators render, not very happily, in one of them, i.e. of the two ways mentioned in the first clause of the verse.

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
19. Comp. Proverbs 12:11.

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
20. faithful] i.e., as the second clause shews, one who puts fidelity above gain. Comp. Psalm 15:4.

innocent] Rather, unpunished, A.V. marg. and R.V. οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται, LXX.

To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
21. For … that man will transgress] Or, Neither that a man should transgress, R.V. The rendering of A.V., however, which is retained substantially in R.V. marg., has the support both of LXX. and Vulg.

a piece of bread] Dean Plumptre, in Speaker’s Comm., and others quote the words of Cato with reference to M. Cœlius, “frusto panis conduci potest, vel uti taceat, vel uti loquatur,” A. Gell., Noct. Att. i. 15.

transgress] i.e., as the former clause indicates, pervert justice by shewing partiality.

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
22. He that hasteth &c. The order of subject and predicate should be reversed as in A.V. marg. and R.V.: He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches. After the manner of this Collection, we have three proverbs (Proverbs 28:20-21) on the same subject brought together. Covetousness is a characteristic of a man who is untrustworthy, Proverbs 28:20, partial, Proverbs 28:21, and mean and grudging, Proverbs 28:22.

poverty] Or, want, R.V. Because it is “the liberal soul” that “shall be made fat,” Proverbs 11:25. Comp. Isaiah 32:8.

He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
24. a destroyer] “That is the deliberate villain who is prepared for any crime. Comp. Matthew 15:4; Matthew 15:6.” Rel. Tr. Soc. Comm. Comp. Proverbs 18:9.

He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
25. of a proud heart] Lit. wide of soul. This may mean having his soul enlarged, either by the elation of pride, as A.V. (comp. wide of heart, Proverbs 21:4; Psalm 101:5), or by the desire of gain, He that is of a greedy spirit, R.V. The expression breadth or width of heart is used in a good sense, 1 Kings 4:29 [Hebrews 5:9]. Comp. Psalm 119:32; Isaiah 60:5; 2 Corinthians 6:11.

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
27. hideth his eyes] in neglect or disgust. Comp. Isaiah 1:15; and see Sir 4:5-6.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
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