Proverbs 28:15

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. A RANGING BEAR - "ranging" to and fro with hunger. SO IS A WICKED RULER OVER THE POOR PEOPLE - whom he knows he can oppress with impunity, as they cannot resist....

The form of political wretchedness, when the poverty of the oppressed subjects not only embitters their sufferings, but exasperates the brutal ferocity of the ruler....

EXPOSITION This chapter is still part of the Hezekiah collection, and not a new series by another author. It may be regarded as describing the various destinies of the powerful and the weak, the sinner and the righteous. PROVERBS 28:1 THE WICKED FLEE WHEN NO MAN PURSUETH. The unreasoning terror of the sinner arises partly from his uneasy conscience, which will not permit him to transgress without warning of consequences, and partly from the judgment of God, according to the threats denounced in Leviticus 26:36, Leviticus 26:37. A terrible picture of this instinctive fear is drawn in...

[AS] A ROARING LION, AND A RANGING BEAR,.... Which are both terrible; the lion that roars for want of food, or when it is over its prey; and the hear, when it runs from place to place in quest of provision, being "hungry [and very] desirous" of food, has a keen appetite, as some think the word l signifies. The Targum and Jarchi take it to be expressive of the cry and roaring it makes at such a time, as well as the lion; see Isaiah 59:11; so the Tigurine version. "Roaring" is the proper epithet of a lion, and is frequently given it in Scripture, and in other writers m; and the bear, it is to have its name, in the Oriental language, from the growling and murmuring noise it makes when hungry; hence that of Horace n; [SO IS] A WICKED RULER OVER THE POOR PEOPLE; one that rules over them in a tyrannical manner, sadly oppresses them, takes away the little from them they have, wh

CHAPTER 28 WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS CONTINUED The wicked is a coward; the righteous man, because he trusteth in the Lord and knows the Lord is on his side, is as bold as a lion. It is the conscience which makes a coward of the wicked man. This chapter has many sharp contrasts and important warnings and exhortations. We point out a few. Those who forsake the law, turn their backs upon the revelation of God, refuse obedience to Him, praise the wicked, they make common cause with them. Those who keep the law, obey God's Word, are contenders for the faith Proverbs 28:4. Evil men are blind, but with seeking the Lord comes understanding, the blind eyes are opened Proverbs 28:5. A wise son is he who keepeth the law; such was Solomon till he plunged into apostasy and darkness...

SECOND DIVISION, PROVERBS 28 F. In general character this division resembles Section II., consisting chiefly of antithetic couplets. PROVERBS 28:2 B. The text is uncertain, and various renderings are possible. The translation state is very doubtful. If MT be retained, connect the word for state with the preceding, and translate by men of understanding who know what is right it is prolonged. LXX reads Through the sin of the ungodly disputes arise, but a prudent man quenches them, possibly the original text. Proverbs 28:3. A needy man: so MT, but the thought is not in keeping with the conception of the poor in Pr. or in the OT. We should probably read a wicked man who, etc. (LXX), or possibly a rich man who, etc. The simile seems to be that of a heavy unseasonable rain which flood

ROARING. growling while _devouring_ his prey, not roaring (as he _springs_ upon it)....

_ranging_ i.e. with a view to satisfy its hunger. The word is used in its secondary sense, _hungry_, Psalms 107:9. Comp. 1 Peter 5:8. λέων πεινῶν καὶ λύκος διψῶν, LXX., _ursus esuriens_, Vulg....

A RANGING BEAR— _A howling bear._ Houbigant. _Proverbs 28:16. The prince that wanteth understanding_] The sense and opposition is better preserved in the LXX: _A prince who is straitened in his revenues is generally a great oppressor; but he,_ &c....

TEXT Proverbs 28:10-18 10. Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good. 11. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 12. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 13. He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. 14. Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 15. As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16. The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; But he that hateth covetousn