King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor: [but] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
Complete Jewish Bible:
A prince without discernment is a cruel oppressor, but one who hates greed will prolong his life.
Berean Standard Bible:
A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.
American Standard Version:
The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; Buthe that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The prince{H5057} that wanteth{H2638} understanding{H8394} is also a great{H7227} oppressor{H4642}: but he that hateth{H8130} covetousness{H1215} shall prolong{H748} his days{H3117}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 18:21
- Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place [such] over them, [to be] rulers of thousands, [and] rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Jeremiah 22:15
- Shalt thou reign, because thou closest [thyself] in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, [and] then [it was] well with him?
Jeremiah 22:17
- But thine eyes and thine heart [are] not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do [it].
1 Kings 12:10
- And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou [it] lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little [finger] shall be thicker than my father's loins.
Nehemiah 5:15
- But the former governors that [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
Ecclesiastes 4:1
- ¶ So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was] power; but they had no comforter.
1 Kings 12:14
- And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father [also] chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 28:16
Proverbs 28:16 is part of the biblical Wisdom Literature, specifically the book of Proverbs, which is a collection of pithy sayings that convey moral and practical advice. This verse reflects the broader themes of wisdom, leadership, and ethical behavior that are prevalent throughout the book.
In its historical context, the verse would have resonated with the experiences of ancient Israelites who were governed by leaders ranging from wise and just kings like Solomon to those who were corrupt and oppressive. The verse speaks directly to the qualities of a leader, using the term "prince" which can be understood as a ruler or leader within the community.
The first part of the verse, "The prince that wanteth understanding [is] also a great oppressor," suggests that a leader who lacks wisdom and insight will likely rule in a manner that is burdensome and unjust to the people. Such a leader, devoid of understanding, is prone to tyranny and the misuse of power, which leads to the oppression of the governed.
Conversely, the second part of the verse, "he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days," offers a contrast by commending the virtue of despising greed. A leader who detests the selfish accumulation of wealth or power is likely to rule with integrity and fairness. The promise that such a leader "shall prolong [his] days" implies that righteous governance not only benefits the people but also brings stability and longevity to the leader's reign.
In summary, Proverbs 28:16 emphasizes that wise and selfless leadership leads to a just and prosperous society, while a lack of understanding in a leader paves the way for oppression. This proverb encourages both leaders and the general populace to value wisdom and righteousness, and to reject greed and the abuse of power.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5057
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגִיד
Transliteration: nâgîyd
Pronunciation: naw-gheed'
Description: or נָגִד; from נָגַד; a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes; captain, chief, excellent thing, (chief) governor, leader, noble, prince, (chief) ruler. - Strong's Number: H2638
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָסֵר
Transliteration: châçêr
Pronunciation: khaw-sare'
Description: from חָסֵר; lacking; hence, without; destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want. - Strong's Number: H8394
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּבוּן
Transliteration: tâbûwn
Pronunciation: taw-boon'
Description: and (feminine) תְּבוּנָה; or תּוֹבֻנָה; from בִּין; intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice; discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom. - Strong's Number: H7227
There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַב
Transliteration: rab
Pronunciation: rab
Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). - Strong's Number: H4642
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעֲשַׁקָּה
Transliteration: maʻăshaqqâh
Pronunciation: mah-ash-ak-kaw'
Description: from עָשַׁק; oppression; oppression, [idiom] oppressor. - Strong's Number: H8130
There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂנֵא
Transliteration: sânêʼ
Pronunciation: saw-nay'
Description: a primitive root; to hate (personally); enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H1215
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֶּצַע
Transliteration: betsaʻ
Pronunciation: beh'-tsah
Description: from בָּצַע; plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust); covetousness, (dishonest) gain, lucre, profit. - Strong's Number: H748
There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָרַךְ
Transliteration: ʼârak
Pronunciation: aw-rak'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively); defer, draw out, lengthen, (be, become, make, pro-) long, [phrase] (out-, over-) live, tarry (long). - Strong's Number: H3117
There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹם
Transliteration: yôwm
Pronunciation: yome
Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.