Proverbs 28:16
The ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, 1 but the one who hates dishonesty will prolong his days. 1
Unlocked Literal Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear 1 is a wicked ruler over poor people. 1
Cross References
1 Kings 12:10The young men who had grown up with Rehoboam spoke to him, saying, “Speak to these people who told you that your father Solomon made their yoke heavy but that you must make it lighter. You should say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.
Nehemiah 5:15But the former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people, and took from them forty shekels of silver for their daily food and wine. Even their servants oppressed the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God.
Ecclesiastes 4:1Once again I thought about all the oppression that is done under the sun. 1 And behold, the tears of oppressed people, 2 and they had no one to comfort them! 1 Power was in the hand of their oppressors, 2 and there was no one to comfort them! 1
Isaiah 33:15He who walks righteously and speaks honestly; 1 who despises the gain of oppression, 1 who shakes his hand so that it will not accept a bribe, 1 who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed, 1 and who shuts his eyes from looking on evil— 1
Amos 4:1Listen to this word, 1 you cows of Bashan, 1 you who are in the mountain of Samaria, 1 you who oppress the poor, 1 you who crush the needy, 1 you who say to your husbands, 1 “Bring us drinks.” 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 →