Proverbs 28:16

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 is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days. 17A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him. 18He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

Proverbs 28:16 word by word

נָגִ֗יד חֲסַ֣ר תְּ֭בוּנוֹת וְרַ֥ב מַעֲשַׁקּ֑וֹת שֹׂ֥נֵא בֶ֝֗צַע יַאֲרִ֥יךְ יָמִֽים׃ פRead the interlinear

• A leaderנָגִידnâgîyd nâgid · leaderH5057
• who lacksחָסֵרchâsêr · lackingH2638
• judgmentתְּבוּנָהtâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh · understandingH8394
• also a greatרַבrab · manyH7227
• oppressorמַעֲשַׁקָּהma‛ăshaqqâh · oppressionH4642
• but he who hatesשָׂנֵאώânê' · to hateH8130
• dishonest profitבֶּ֫צַעbetsa‛ · unjust-gainH1215
• will prolongאָרַךְ'ârak · to prolongH748
• daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117

Cross-references for Proverbs 28:16

• 1 Kings 12:10The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!
• Nehemiah 5:15The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.
• Isaiah 3:12Youths oppress My people, and women rule over them. O My people, your guides mislead you; they turn you from your paths.
• Amos 4:1Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”
• Exodus 18:21Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
• Isaiah 33:15He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil—
• Jeremiah 22:15Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went 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

• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Accept
• Cover
• Mercy
• Prosper
• Rise
• Hezekiah (2)
• Prince
• Prolong
• Proverbs, the Book of

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