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 naive inherit folly, but the shrewd are crowned with knowledge. 19Those who are evil will bow before those who are good, and the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous. A poor person is disliked even by his neighbors, but those who love the rich are many. 21The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed. 22Do not those who devise evil go astray? But those who plan good exhibit faithful covenant love.

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 a rich person is like a fortified city, but the poor are brought to ruin by their poverty.
• Proverbs 19:7All the relatives of a poor person hate him; how much more do his friends avoid him – he pursues them with words, but they do not respond.
• Job 6:21For now you have become like these streams that are no help; you see a terror, and are afraid.
• Job 19:13“He has put my relatives far from me; my acquaintances only turn away from me.
• Job 30:10They detest me and maintain their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.
• Proverbs 19:4Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friend.
• Esther 3:2As a result, all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate were bowing and paying homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded. However, Mordecai did not bow, nor did he pay him homage.
• Esther 5:10But Haman restrained himself and went on to his home. He then sent for his friends to join him, along with his wife Zeresh.

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