Proverbs 28:16

A duke needy of prudence shall oppress many men by false challenge; but the days of him that hateth avarice shall be made long.

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

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

15A roaring lion, and an hungry bear, is a wicked prince on a poor people. (Like a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, is a wicked ruler over the poor.)

17No man sustain a man that falsely challengeth the blood of a man, (even) if he fleeth till to the pit. (Let no one protect someone who oppresseth unto the blood, that is, unto the murder, of another person, yea, let him flee into the pit.)

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Cross References

1 Kings 12:10And the young men, that were nourished with him (or who grew up with him), said to him, Thus speak thou to this people, that spake to thee, and said, Thy father made grievous our yoke, relieve thou us; thus thou shalt speak to them, My least finger is greater than the back of my father;

Nehemiah 5:15But the first dukes, that were before me, grieved the people, and took of them in bread, and wine, and money, each day forty shekels; and also their ministers oppressed the people. But I did not so, for the dread of God; (But the former governors, who were there before me, grieved the people, and took from them bread, and wine, and money, forty shekels worth, each day; and their servants, and their officers, also oppressed the people. But I did not do so, for the fear of God or because of my reverence for God;)

Ecclesiastes 4:1I turned me to other things, and I saw false challenges, that be done under the sun, (or and I saw much oppression, that is done under the sun), and the tears of the guiltless, and (that) no man (was a) comforter; and that they destitute, either forsaken, of the help of all men, may not against-stand the violence of them.

Isaiah 33:15He that goeth in rightfulnesses, and speaketh truth; he that casteth away (the) avarice of false challenge, and shaketh away his hands from all gift (s), ( or bribes); he that stoppeth his ears, that he hear not (of) blood, and closeth his eyes, that he see not evil.

Amos 4:1Ye fat kine, that be in the mount of Samaria, hear this word; which make false challenge to needy men, and break poor men; which say to your lords, Bring ye, and we shall drink. (Ye fat cows of Bashan, who live on the mount of Samaria, hear this word; ye who oppress the needy, and trample down the poor; who say to your lords, (or to your masters), Bring ye us something 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

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