Proverbs 28:6

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. BETTER IS THE POOR THAT WALKETH IN HIS UPRIGHTNESS ( ; ) THAN (HE THAT IS) PERVERSE (IN HIS) WAYS (LITERALLY, IN TWO WAYS: DUAL) THOUGH HE (BE) RICH - than one perversely halting between 'two ways,' and acting as if he could walk in the right and the wrong way at once (; ). 'Woe be to the sinner that goeth two ways' ( Sir 2:12 )....

PERVERSE IN HIS WAYS - literally, “Perverse in his double ways.” Compare Ecclesiasticus 2:12 and James 1:8....

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...

BETTER [IS] THE POOR THAT WALKETH IN HIS UPRIGHTNESS,.... Proverbs 19:1; THAN [HE THAT IS] PERVERSE [IN HIS] WAYS, THOUGH HE [BE] RICH; or, "in [his] two ways" c: that halts between two ways, or makes use of both; sometimes turns to the one, to the right hand, and sometimes to the other, to the left hand; or that pretends to the one, and walks in the other; would be thought to be a virtuous and religious man, and to walk in the paths of righteousness and truth, when he walks in those of sin and wickedness. And now a poor man that walks evenly and uprightly, according to the word of God and truth of the Gospel, in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, and in the paths of faith and holiness, is better than he; more honourable, more comfortable, and happy in life and in death; he has grace now, and will have glory hereafter. c דרכים Heb. "du

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

BETTER. See note on Proverbs 8:11. THE POOR. a poor one. UPRIGHTNESS. integrity. THAN HE... WAYS. Than [he that walketh] in double ways. Hebrew. _'akash._ See Proverbs 28:18. Compare James 1:8. WAYS. double ways. As in Proverbs 28:18....

The first half of the proverb occurs in Proverbs 19:1. _perverse in_his _ways_ Lit. PERVERSE OF TWO WAYS: i.e. in double-dealing. Comp. "Woe … to the sinner that goeth two ways!" Sir 2:12; ἀνὴρ δίψυχος ἀκατάστατος ἐν πάσαις ταις ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ, James 1:8....

CHAPTER 28 TEXT Proverbs 28:1-9 1. The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. 2. For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. 3. A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 4. They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them. 5. Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things. 6. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. 7. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father. 8. He that augmenteth his substa

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