Proverbs 28:16
A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment.One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
New Heart English Bible
In The King James Version
In Context
15As a roaring lion or a charging bear,so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
17A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death;no one will support him.
Cross References
1 Kings 12:10The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus you shall tell this people who spoke to you, saying, 'Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter to us;' you shall say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.
Nehemiah 5:15But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, besides forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people: but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
Ecclesiastes 4:1Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
Isaiah 33:15He who walks righteously,and speaks blamelessly;He who despises the gain of oppressions,who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe,who stops his ears from hearing of blood,and shuts his eyes from looking at evil-
Amos 4:1Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husbands, "Bring us drinks!"
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 →