Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, July 17th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Bible Commentaries
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Ellicott's Commentary
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Proverbs 28". "Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ebc/proverbs-28.html. 1905.
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Proverbs 28". "Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers". https://studylight.org/
Whole Bible (38)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (3)
Verse 1
XXVIII
(1) The wicked flee when no man pursueth.âComp. the curse pronounced upon Israel for disobedience (Leviticus 26:17; Leviticus 26:36).
The righteous are bold as a lion.âComp. Leviticus 26:8; 1 Samuel 17:32, sqq.; Psalms 91:1, sqq.
Verse 2
(2) For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof.âComp. 1 Kings 15:27, sqq., and indeed the whole history of the kingdom of Israel as compared with the regular succession of the family of David in accordance with the promise of Psalms 89:33.
The state thereof shall be prolongedâi.e., its settled condition. Or it may signify ârightâ (i.e., authority)â continues.â
Verse 3
(3) A poor man that oppresseth the poor.âIf the recollection of his own former troubles has not softened his heart towards his poor neighbours, he will be rendered more callous to their sufferings.
Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.âThat sweeps away grain and soil, instead of bringing plenty with it.
Verse 4
(4) They that forsake the law praise the wicked.âThe mark of extreme wickedness. (Comp. Romans 1:32.)
But such as keep the law contend with them.âJust as the sight of ill-doing was the one thing which roused our Lord to wrath, while insults and wrongs offered to Himself were passed by unnoticed.
Verse 5
(5) Evil men understand not judgment.âOr, what is right. For God reveals Himself only to those who fear Him (Psalms 25:14, comp. 1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 John 2:20); they, by following the light they have, are âguided into all truthâ (John 16:13); the evil, by continually shutting their eyes to the light, at last can not see it, even if they would (John 12:39, sqq.).
Verse 6
(6) Better is the poor that walketh . . .âA variation of Proverbs 19:1.
Perverse in his ways.âAccording to the pointing of the text the words signify, âperverse in two ways.â That is, the sinner tries to âgo two waysâ (Sir. 2:12); to follow his own way without entirely deserting Godâs; to âserve God and mammon;â he is âdouble-mindedâ (James 1:8), instead of setting before himself Godâs will as the guide of his life.
Verse 8
(8) He that by usury . . . increaseth his substance.âSee above on Proverbs 6:1.
He shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.âThe âpoundâ is taken from him who knows not how to use it (Luke 19:24), and given to one who does. (Comp. 1 Samuel 15:28.)
Verse 9
(9) Even his prayer shall be abomination.âSee above on Proverbs 15:8.
Verse 10
(10) He shall fall himself into his own pit.âSee above on Proverbs 26:27.
Verse 11
(11) The rich man is wise in his own conceit.âFor the blinding effect of wealth comp. Revelation 3:17.
Verse 12
(12) When righteous men do rejoiceâi.e., prosper, or triumph.
There is great glory.âMen rejoice, and array themselves in their gayest attire.
A man is hidden.âLiterally, is sought for. They hide themselves for fear (comp. Proverbs 28:28), and must be sought for, in order to be found.
Verse 13
(13) He that covereth his sins.âAs Adam and Eve did, when they had transgressed (Genesis 3:8), as David did to his own loss (Psalms 32:3.)
Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy, and be at once completely forgiven; though he must still suffer the punishment due for his offences (2 Samuel 12:14, sqq.), and will, for having yielded to temptation, be the less able to resist it when next assailed by it.
Verse 14
(14) Happy is the man that feareth alway lest he should fall, and so, distrusting himself, seeks heavenly aid (Philippians 2:12).
He that hardeneth his heart.â(Comp. Exodus 8:15, sqq.)
Shall fall into mischief.âAs he will have lost the guidance and protection of God.
Verse 15
(15) A ranging bearâi.e., wandering hungrily in great want of food.
Over the poor peopleâi.e., a people too weak to resist him, over whom he can tyrannise without fear.
Verse 16
(16) A prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor.âThereby losing the love of his people, and at the same time impoverishing them; thus killing the goose that laid the golden eggs. He also by his misdeeds draws down upon himself Godâs anger in the shape of an early death. Comp. the woe pronounced upon Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 22:13, sqq.).
Verse 17
(17) A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person.âRather, that is burdened with his blood, has wilfully murdered any one.
Shall flee to the pit.âFulfilling the curse of Genesis 9:6.
Let no man stay himâi.e., attempt to rescue him from the punishment he has deserved.
Verse 18
(18) He that is perverse in his ways.âLiterally, two ways. (Comp. note on Proverbs 28:6.)
At onceâi.e., all of a sudden, without warning.
Verse 19
(19) He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread.âThe curse of Genesis 3:17-19 being, in Godâs mercy, turned into a blessing.
Verse 20
(20) A faithful man, who is true to God and man, âshall abound with blessingsâ from God and man. Comp. Jobâs description of his own blameless life and the blessings attending it (Job 29:0).
Verse 21
(21) For, for a piece of bread.âA thing proverbially of little value. (Comp. Ezekiel 13:19.)
That man will transgress.âSo degrading is the habit of servility.
Verse 22
(22) Hath an evil eye.âEnvies others their prosperity, and keeps all he has for himself.
And considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.âFor it is âthe liberal soulâ that âshall be made fatâ (Proverbs 11:25), not such as he, who can get no blessing from God.
Verse 23
(23) He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find more favour . . .âi.e., when the man reproved comes to his senses, and finds how true a friend the reprover has been to him. Or, the words may perhaps mean, He that rebuketh a man (that is going) backwards. (Compare Jeremiah 7:24, and James 5:20.)
Verse 24
(24) It is no transgression.âBecause all would in time come to him.
The companion of a destroyer.âComp. Proverbs 18:9. Though the deed may be done secretly, yet he is no better than one who by open violence and wrong assails his neighbour.
Verse 25
(25) He that is of a proud heart.âWho thinks much of himself, âstirreth up strifeâ by his struggles with others for pre-eminence, and mostly gains only vexation and disappointment for his trouble; âbut he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat,â being richly rewarded with that âpeace which passeth all understanding.â
Verse 26
(26) He that trusteth in his own heart, is confident in his own wisdom (comp. 1 Corinthians 3:18, sqq.); he will perish in his folly.
But whoso walketh wisely.âLiterally, in wisdom, which begins with the âfear of the Lordâ (Proverbs 9:10), âshall be deliveredâ from the trouble into which the âfoolâ is brought by his self-confidence.
Verse 27
(27) He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack.âSee above on Proverbs 11:24.
Shall have many a curse.âWith this comp. Sir. 4:5-6.