Proverbs 28:16

Rulers who do not have good sense cruelly oppress the people they rule, but rulers who do not want to become rich by cheating/deceiving people will live (OR, rule) for a long time.

Translation for Translators

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

15Wicked people who mistreat poor people whom they rule are as dangerous to them as [SIM] a lion roaring at them or a bear springing up to attack them.

17Those who are guilty of murdering [MTY] another person will ◄be fugitives/keep running away► until they die; do not help them to escape.

Read all of Proverbs 28

Cross References

1 Kings 12:10They replied, “This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.

Nehemiah 5:15The men who were governors before I became the governor had burdened the people by requiring them to pay a lot of taxes. They had forced each person to pay to them 40 silver coins every day, in addition to giving food and wine to them. Even their servants/officials oppressed the people. But I did not do that, because I revered God.

Ecclesiastes 4:1I thought some more about all the suffering that people are caused to experience on the earth [MTY]. I saw the tears of people who were ◄oppressed/treated cruelly► and who had no one to comfort/encourage them. Those who oppressed them had power, and there was absolutely no one who was able to comfort those who were being oppressed.

Isaiah 33:15Those who act honestly and say what is right, those who do not try to become rich by ◄extortion/forcing people to give them money►, those who do not try to get bribes, those who refuse to listen to people who are planning to murder someone, those who do not join others who urge them to do what is wrong,

Amos 4:1You wealthy women of Samaria have grown fat like [MET] the fat cows of the Bashan region. You oppress poor people and you cause needy people to suffer. And you say to your husbands, “Bring us more wine to drink!”

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 →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 28:16