Proverbs 14:20

Proverbs 14:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
• New International Version (NIV)The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends.

Context of Proverbs 14:20

18The inexperienced inherit foolishness, but the sensible are crowned with knowledge. 19The evil bow before those who are good, and the wicked, at the gates of the righteous. A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but there are many who love the rich. 21The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy. 22Don’t those who plan evil go astray? But those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness.

Proverbs 14:20 word by word

גַּם־לְ֭רֵעֵהוּ יִשָּׂ֣נֵא רָ֑שׁ וְאֹהֲבֵ֖י עָשִׁ֣יר רַבִּֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The poorרוּשׁrûsh · be poorH7326
• is hatedשָׂנֵאώânê' · to hateH8130
• even of his own neighbourרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
• but the richעָשִׁיר‛âshîyr · richH6223
• manyרַבrab · manyH7227
• friendsאָהֵב'âhab 'âhêb · to love: friendH157

Cross-references for Proverbs 14:20

• Proverbs 10:15The wealth of the rich is his fortified city; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.
• Proverbs 19:7All the brothers of a poor person hate him; how much more do his friends keep their distance from him! He may pursue them with words, but they are not there.
• Job 6:21So this is what you have now become to me. When you see something dreadful, you are afraid.
• Job 19:13He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me.
• Job 30:10They despise me and keep their distance from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.
• Proverbs 19:4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friend.
• Esther 3:2The entire royal staff at the King’s Gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, because the king had commanded this to be done for him. But Mordecai would not bow down or pay homage.
• Esther 5:10Yet Haman controlled himself and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh to join him.

Commentaries on Proverbs 14:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20But the rich hath many friends - Many who speak to him the language of friendship; but if they profess friendship because he is rich, there is not one real friend among them. There is a fine saying of Cicero on this subject: Ut hirundines festivo tempore praesto sunt, frigore pulsae recedunt: ita falsi amici sereno tempore praesto sunt: simul atque fortunae hiemem viderint, evolant omnes - Lib. iv., ad Herenn. "They are like swallows, who fly off during…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20The maxim, jarring as it is, represents the generalization of a wide experience; but the words which follow Proverbs 14:21 show that it is not to be taken by itself. In spite of all the selfish morality of mere prudence, the hearer is warned that to despise his “neighbor” (Christians must take the word in all the width given to it by the parable of the Good Samaritan) is to sin. The fullness of blessing comes on him who sees in the poor the objects of his…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20Verse 20 Friendship in the world is governed by self-interest. It is good to have God our Friend; he will not desert us.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20This proverb might advise moderation, suggesting having neither too little nor too much (Proverbs 30:7–9).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. This sad but true picture of human nature is not given approvingly, but only as a fact.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 14:20

• Flattery
• Poor
• Rich, the

In the dictionaries

• Backslider
• Confident
• Crib
• Easy
• Envious
• Hasty
• Mock
• Poetry
• Prudent
• Rich

Commentaries on Proverbs 14

• 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
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings