King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He who increases his wealth by charging exorbitant interest amasses it for someone who will bestow it on the poor.
Berean Standard Bible:
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
American Standard Version:
He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He that by usury{H5392} and unjust gain{H8636} increaseth{H7235} his substance{H1952}, he shall gather{H6908} it for him that will pity{H2603} the poor{H1800}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 13:22
- ¶ A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.
Job 27:16
- Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
Job 27:17
- He may prepare [it], but the just shall put [it] on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.
Ecclesiastes 2:26
- For [God] giveth to a man that [is] good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to [him that is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.
Leviticus 25:36
- Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.
Exodus 22:25
- ¶ If thou lend money to [any of] my people [that is] poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
Ezekiel 18:17
- [That] hath taken off his hand from the poor, [that] hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.
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Commentary for Proverbs 28:8
Proverbs 28:8 is a part of the biblical Wisdom Literature, specifically found in the book of Proverbs, which is a collection of sayings and instructions that convey moral and practical advice. This verse reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which often addressed issues of justice, wealth, and ethics.
The historical context of Proverbs 28:8 is the society of ancient Israel, where economic practices were governed by moral and religious principles. Usury, or the practice of lending money at exorbitant interest rates, was considered exploitative and was condemned in the Law of Moses (Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:35-37, Deuteronomy 23:19-20). The verse also refers to "unjust gain," which encompasses any form of wealth acquisition that violates the principles of justice and righteousness, such as fraud, theft, or oppression of the vulnerable.
The theme of Proverbs 28:8 is economic justice and the fate of those who amass wealth through immoral means. It warns that individuals who increase their wealth through usury and unjust gain will ultimately lose it to someone who is compassionate towards the poor. This reflects a broader biblical theme that God is concerned with the welfare of the poor and that ill-gotten gains are not lasting (Psalm 37:21, Proverbs 11:4, 23:5). The verse serves as a moral admonition, implying that wealth obtained unethically is not only wrong but also imprudent, as it will eventually be transferred to those who use their resources in ways that align with divine values, such as caring for the needy.
In summary, Proverbs 28:8 addresses the ethical acquisition of wealth within the wisdom tradition of ancient Israel. It condemns usury and unjust gain as means of increasing one's substance, suggesting that such wealth will not endure but will be redistributed to those who show mercy to the poor. This verse underscores the biblical principle that true prosperity is linked to righteous living and concern for the less fortunate.
*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: H5392
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶשֶׁךְ
Transliteration: neshek
Pronunciation: neh'-shek
Description: from נָשַׁךְ; interest on a debt; usury. - Strong's Number: H8636
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תַּרְבִּית
Transliteration: tarbîyth
Pronunciation: tar-beeth'
Description: from רָבָה; multiplication, i.e. percentage or bonus in addition to principal; increase, unjust gain. - Strong's Number: H7235
There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבָה
Transliteration: râbâh
Pronunciation: raw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. - Strong's Number: H1952
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הוֹן
Transliteration: hôwn
Pronunciation: hone
Description: from the same as הוּן in the sense of אוֹן; wealth; by implication, enough; enough, [phrase] for nought, riches, substance, wealth. - Strong's Number: H6908
There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָבַץ
Transliteration: qâbats
Pronunciation: kaw-bats'
Description: a primitive root; to grasp, i.e. collect; assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up. - Strong's Number: H2603
There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָנַן
Transliteration: chânan
Pronunciation: khaw-nan'
Description: a primitive root (compare חָנָה); properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition); beseech, [idiom] fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, [idiom] very. - Strong's Number: H1800
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דַּל
Transliteration: dal
Pronunciation: dal
Description: from דָּלַל; properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin; lean, needy, poor (man), weaker.