Proverbs 28:16

The nagid (ruler) lacking tevunot (understanding) is also a great oppressor, 1 but he that hateth betza (ill-gotten gain) shall prolong his yamim (days). 1

Orthodox Jewish Bible

In The King James Version

The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

In Context

15As a roaring ari, and a charging dov (bear), 1 so is a wicked moshel (ruler) over the am dal (poor people). 1

17If an adam is burdened with dahm (blood, murder) of any nefesh, 1 let him be a fugitive ad bor (till the pit, death); 1 let no ish help him. 1

Read all of Proverbs 28

Cross References

1 Kings 12:10And the yeladim that were grown up with him spoke unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto HaAm hazeh that spoke unto thee, saying, Avicha made our ol (yoke) heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than the loins of Avi!

Nehemiah 5:15But the former governors that had been before me placed a heavy burden on HaAm, and had taken of them lechem and yayin, in addition to the forty shekels of kesef; yea, even their assistants domineered HaAm; but so did not I, because of yirat Elohim.

Ecclesiastes 4:1So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the shemesh, and, hinei, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no menachem (comforter); and on the side of their oppressors there was ko'ach (power); but they had no menachem (comforter).

Isaiah 33:15He that walketh in tzedakot, and speaketh meisharim (right things), 1 he that despiseth the gain of extortions, 1 that guards his palms from accepting shochad (bribe[s]), 1 that stoppeth his ozen from hearing of dahm, 1 and shutteth his eynayim from seeing rah; 1

Amos 4:1Hear this word, ye cows of Bashan, 1 that are on Mt Shomron, which oppress the poor, 1 which crush the needy, which say to their adonim: 1 Bring, and let us drink. 1

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 28:16

15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. It is written indeed, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people; but if he be a wicked ruler, that oppresses the people, especially the poor people, robbing them of the little they have and making a prey of them, whatever we may call him, this scripture calls him a roaring lion and a ranging bear. 1. In respect of his character. He is brutish, barbarous, and blood-thirsty; he is rather to be put among the beasts of… Read the whole commentary →

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