New International Version
Proverbs 22:7
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
Proverbs 22:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
Context of Proverbs 22:7
5In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. 6Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. 8Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. 9The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Read all of Proverbs 22Proverbs 22:7 word by word
עָ֭שִׁיר בְּרָשִׁ֣ים יִמְשׁ֑וֹל וְעֶ֥בֶד לֹ֝וֶ֗ה לְאִ֣ישׁ מַלְוֶֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 22:7
- Proverbs 22:16One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
- Proverbs 14:31Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
- Proverbs 18:23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
- Amos 2:6This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals.
- Amos 4:1Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks!”
- Amos 5:11You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine.
- Amos 8:4Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land,
- James 2:6But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
- James 5:1Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.
- 2 Kings 4:1The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
- Nehemiah 5:4Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
- Isaiah 24:2it will be the same for priest as for people, for the master as for his servant, for the mistress as for her servant, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor.
- Matthew 18:25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
Commentaries on Proverbs 22:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7The rich ruieth over the poor - So it is in the order of God, and may be a blessing to both.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7Verse 7 This shows how important it is for every man to keep out of debt. As to the things of this life, there is a difference between the rich and the poor; but let the poor remember, it is the Lord that made the difference.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7This warns against borrowing. Other proverbs advise against guaranteeing others' debts (Proverbs 6:1–2; 20:16).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. The influence of wealth sets aside moral distinctions is implied, and, of course, disapproved (compare Pr 19:6; 21:14, &c.).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 22:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 22
- 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
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