Proverbs 28:8

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. Proverbs 13:22, end; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Job 27:16. USURY AND UNJUST GAIN. "Usury," from a root to bite ( neshek (H5392), from naashak (H5391)): of a severer kind. "Unjust gain" - literally, increase, multiplication of the principal (tharbith): of a milder kind, (Leviticus 25:35, etc.)...

Verse Proverbs 28:8. _HE THAT BY USURY - INCREASETH HIS SUBSTANCE_] By taking unlawful interest for his money; _lending_ to a man in great distress, money, for the use of which he requires an _exorbitant_ _sum_. O that the names of all those unfeeling, hard-hearted, consummate villains in the nation, who thus take advantage of their neighbour's necessities to enrich themselves, were published at every market cross; and then the delinquents all sent to their brother savages in New Zealand. It would be a happy riddance to the country....

UNJUST GAIN - Omit “unjust:” “usury and gain” make up the notion of “gain derived from usury.” Ill-gotten gains do not prosper, after a time they pass into hands that know how to use them better....

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 BY USURY AND UNJUST GAIN INCREASETH HIS SUBSTANCE,.... By biting and oppressing the poor; letting him have money at an exorbitant interest, and goods at an exorbitant price, and so increases his substance in this scandalous manner; hence usury is in Leviticus 25:36, called "increase", and by the Greeks τοκος, a "birth", because money is the birth of money, as Aristotle e observes; and so by the Latins "foenus", as if it was "foetus" f, "a birth". The word for usury here signifies biting; and so usury, with classical writers g, is said to bite; and while it increases the substance of the usurer, it lessens and devours that of others; HE SHALL GATHER IT FOR HIM THAT WILL PITY THE POOR; not for himself, nor for his posterity; but for such, though not intentionally but eventually, as will make a good use of it, and distribute it to the necessities of the poor. Th

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

_unjust gain_ Rather, INCREASE, as A.V. marg. and R.V. text, μετὰ τόκων καὶ πλεονασμῶν, LXX. Comp. Leviticus 25:36-37. The idea of its being "unjust" is implied by the word "usury" with which it is associated. The R.V. gives _augmenteth_, instead of _increaseth_, in the former part of the verse, as the Heb. word is not the same, as it there renders _increase_....

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

28:8 poor. (b-20) _ Dal_ , 'poor,' plural, as chs. 10.15; 22.16; 29.7,14....