Proverbs 28:27

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. HE THAT GIVETH UNTO THE POOR SHALL NOT LACK (; ; but shall have many a blessing); BUT HE THAT HIDETH HIS EYES (from the poor in their distress; cf. ) "shall have many a curse" - not only from men, but also from God (). The natural man fears that he will be in want by giving. The reverse is the truth. Alfonso, King of Sicily, when asked what he kept for himself, since he gave away so much-`I keep,' said he, 'what I give; the rest I do not count mine.'...

Verse Proverbs 28:27. _HE THAT GIVETH UNTO THE POOR_] See the notes on the passages referred to in the margin (Deuteronomy 15:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; Deuteronomy 22:9)....

HIDETH HIS EYES - i. e., Turns away from, disregards, the poor. Compare Isaiah 1:15....

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...

HE THAT GIVETH UNTO THE POOR SHALL NOT LACK,.... That gives alms unto them, relieves them in their distress, supplies them with money, food, or clothes, and does it cheerfully, largely, and liberally, as the case requires; such an one shall not want any good thing; he shall not be the poorer for what he gives; he shall not miss it, nor his substance be diminished; he shall not come to poverty and want, yea, he shall be enriched, and his substance increased, for more is intended than is expressed. Jarchi interprets this of a wise man not restraining doctrine from a disciple, but giving it to him liberally; BUT HE THAT HIDETH HIS EYES; that is, from the poor, as the Targum and Syriac version add; that does not care to see his person, to behold his miseries, or know his case, lest his heart should be moved with compassion, and should draw out anything from him; see Isaiah 58:7.

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

_hideth his eyes_ in neglect or disgust. Comp. Isaiah 1:15; and see Sir 4:5-6....

TEXT Proverbs 28:19-28 19. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. 20. A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished. 21. To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread. 22. He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him. 23. He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue. 24. Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer. 25. He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in

OBSERVATIONS RELATING CHIEFLY TO SOCIAL LIFE 2. Cp. the many changes of rulers during the unsatisfactory period described in 2K15....