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

14Happy is the one who is always reverent, but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 15A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear. A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates dishonest profit prolongs his life. 17Someone burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death. Let no one help him. 18The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall.

Proverbs 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 told him, “This is what you should say to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you, make it lighter on us! ’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!
• Nehemiah 5:15The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them.
• Isaiah 3:12Youths oppress my people, and women rule over them. My people, your leaders mislead you; they confuse the direction of your paths.
• Amos 4:1Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan who are on the hill of Samaria, women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to their husbands, “Bring us something to drink.”
• Exodus 18:21But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit. Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
• Isaiah 33:15The one who lives righteously and speaks rightly, who refuses profit from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears from listening to murderous plots and shuts his eyes against evil schemes —
• Jeremiah 22:15Are you a king because you excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink and administer justice and righteousness? Then 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