Amplified Bible
Proverbs 28:16
16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days], But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.
Proverbs 28:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
- New International Version (NIV)A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
Context of Proverbs 28:16
14Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times, But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster. 15Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days], But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days. 17A man who is burdened with the guilt of human blood (murder) Will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him or give him refuge. 18He who walks blamelessly and uprightly will be kept safe, But he who is crooked (perverse) will suddenly fall.
Read all of Proverbs 28Proverbs 28:16 word by word
נָגִ֗יד חֲסַ֣ר תְּ֭בוּנוֹת וְרַ֥ב מַעֲשַׁקּ֑וֹת שֹׂ֥נֵא בֶ֝֗צַע יַאֲרִ֥יךְ יָמִֽים׃ פRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- The princeנָגִידnâgîyd nâgid · leaderH5057
- that wantethחָסֵרchâsêr · lackingH2638
- understandingתְּבוּנָהtâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh · understandingH8394
- also a greatרַבrab · manyH7227
- oppressorמַעֲשַׁקָּהma‛ăshaqqâh · oppressionH4642
- he that hatethשָׂנֵאώânê' · to hateH8130
- covetousnessבֶּ֫צַעbetsa‛ · unjust-gainH1215
- shall prolongאָרַךְ'ârak · to prolongH748
- daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
Cross-references for Proverbs 28:16
- 1 Kings 12:10The young men who had grown up with him answered, “This is what you should say to this people who told you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but as for you, make our yoke lighter’—say this to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins [and my reign will be even more severe].
- Nehemiah 5:15But the former governors who were [in office] before me put heavy burdens on the people and took food and wine from them in addition to forty shekels of silver [as an excessive monthly salary]; even their servants assumed authority over the people. But I did not do so because of the [reverent] fear of God.
- Ecclesiastes 4:1Then I looked again and considered all the acts of oppression that were being practiced under the sun. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them.
- Isaiah 3:12O My people! Children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Your leaders lead you astray And confuse (destroy, swallow up) the direction of your paths.
- Amos 4:1Hear this word, you [well-fed, pampered] cows (women) of Bashan who are on the mountain of Samaria, Who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, Who say to their husbands, “Bring [the wine] now, and let us drink!”
- Exodus 18:21Furthermore, you shall select from all the people competent men who [reverently] fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; you shall place these over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.
- Isaiah 33:15He who walks righteously and speaks with integrity, Who rejects gain from fraud and from oppression, Who shakes his hand free from the taking of bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes to avoid looking upon evil;
- Jeremiah 22:15Do you think that you become a king because you have much more cedar [in your palace than Solomon]? Did not your father [Josiah], as he ate and drank, Do just and righteous acts [being upright and in right standing with God]? Then all was well with him.
Commentaries on Proverbs 28:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16The prince that wanteth understanding - A weak prince will generally have wicked ministers, for his weakness prevents him from making a proper choice; and he is apt to prefer them who flatter him, and minister most to his pleasures. The quantum of the king's intellect may be always appreciated by the mildness or oppressiveness of his government. He who plunges his people into expensive wars, to support which they are burdened with taxes, is a prince…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16Verse 16 Oppressors want understanding; they do not consult their own honour, ease, and safety.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. The prince ... understanding--that is, He does not perceive that oppression jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence the contrast.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 28:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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