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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A ruler with no understanding will oppress his people, but one who hates corruption will have a long life.

Context of Proverbs 28:16

14Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. 15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign. 17Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back. 18The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

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 replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.
• Nehemiah 5:15But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter.
• Isaiah 3:12Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.
• 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!”
• Exodus 18:21But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
• Isaiah 33:15Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil—
• Jeremiah 22:15“Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all 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