Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word
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⚙ Annotations & References ▾
Themes 11 ▾
Sin 1, 4, 9, 18 Righteousness 1, 13, 18 Justice and Mercy 4 Obedience and Disobedience 4, 9 Judgment 9, 18 Prayer 9 Forgiveness 13 Repentance 13 Faith 20 Wealth and Poverty 20 Blessing and Curse 20
Symbols 1 ▾
Lion animal 1
Historic voices 6 ▾
Homilies on Matthew 1× 1 Summa Theologica 2× 1, 9 Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament 1× 1-28 Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 1× 1-28 Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary 1× 2-28 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 1× 2-28
Manuscript witnesses 4 ▾
Codex Sinaiticus Aleph c. AD 330-360 Codex Vaticanus B c. AD 300-325 Aleppo Codex (Crown of Aleppo) c. AD 930 Leningrad Codex (Codex Leningradensis) AD 1008
Cross-references 336 ▾
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What is Proverbs 28 about?

The scene widens from household to nation, as the collection weighs the righteous against the wicked and the rulers set over a land. Boldness marks the righteous, who stand bold as a lion while the wicked flee when no man pursues, and blessing rests on those who keep the law and deal justly with the poor, whereas the prayer of the one who stops his ear against instruction is itself an abomination. To trust one's own heart is folly, but to give to the poor and walk uprightly is the way of life. These contrasts hold rulers and subjects alike to one standard, teaching that a people prospers only as it lives in the fear of the LORD and under His law.

Historical backdrop

Wisdom literature was the common inheritance of the ancient Near East, and the courts of Egypt and Mesopotamia trained their young in it long before Israel. Proverbs speaks from Solomon's court at the height of the united monarchy, a kingdom grown rich on trade, where a father's instruction, honest scales, and the fear of the LORD shaped a son fit to live well in the world.

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 28
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 28
The Church Fathers on Proverbs 28
Cited by the confessions

Proverbs 28

Proverbs Chapter 28
28
1The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion.
2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understandingandknowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3A needy man that oppresseth the poor Islikea sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.
6Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse inhisways, though he be rich.
7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.
8He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
10Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good.
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.
14Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
15Asa roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So isa wicked ruler over a poor people.
16The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; Buthe that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him.
18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
21To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread.
22He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
23He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer.
25He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat.
26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
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What is Proverbs 28 about?

The scene widens from household to nation, as the collection weighs the righteous against the wicked and the rulers set over a land. Boldness marks the righteous, who stand bold as a lion while the wicked flee when no man pursues, and blessing rests on those who keep the law and deal justly with the poor, whereas the prayer of the one who stops his ear against instruction is itself an abomination. To trust one's own heart is folly, but to give to the poor and walk uprightly is the way of life. These contrasts hold rulers and subjects alike to one standard, teaching that a people prospers only as it lives in the fear of the LORD and under His law.