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 one who is always cautious, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into evil. 15Like a roaring lion or a roving bear, so is a wicked ruler over a poor people. The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom, but the one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. 17The one who is tormented by the murder of another will flee to the pit; let no one support him. 18The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall at once.

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 advisers with whom Rehoboam had grown up said to him, “Say this to these people who have said to you, ‘Your father made us work hard, but now lighten our burden.’ Say this to them: ‘I am a lot harsher than my father!
• Nehemiah 5:15But the former governors who preceded me had burdened the people and had taken food and wine from them, in addition to forty shekels of silver. Their associates were also domineering over the people. But I did not behave in this way, due to my fear of God.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.
• Isaiah 3:12Oppressors treat my people cruelly; creditors rule over them. My people’s leaders mislead them; they give you confusing directions.
• Amos 4:1Listen to this message, you cows of Bashan who live on Mount Samaria! You oppress the poor; you crush the needy. You say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink!”
• Exodus 18:21But you choose from the people capable men, God-fearing, men of truth, those who hate bribes, and put them over the people as rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
• Isaiah 33:15The one who lives uprightly and speaks honestly; the one who refuses to profit from oppressive measures and rejects a bribe; the one who does not plot violent crimes and does not seek to harm others –
• Jeremiah 22:15Does it make you any more of a king that you outstrip everyone else in building with cedar? Just think about your father. He was content that he had food and drink. He did what was just and right. So things 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