Chapter Twenty-Eight

1–5. On contrasts between the righteous and the wicked (the violent). 6–12. Against the oppression of the poor and all unrighteousness generally. 13–18. Against hidden service to sin, abuses of power, and bloodthirstiness. 19–28. Against the passion for acquisition, violence, and so forth.

Proverbs 28:1. The wicked flee when no one pursues them; but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:2. When a land transgresses, it has many rulers; but by a man of understanding and knowledge, it will be established long. Proverbs 28:3. A poor man who oppresses the weak is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food. Proverbs 28:4. Those who abandon the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them. Proverbs 28:5. Evil men do not understand justice; but those who seek the Lord understand all things. At the beginning of the depiction of the wicked and the righteous, opposite states of soul of the one and the other are presented: the conscience of the wicked always torments him, pursues him in the absence of any external danger (v. 1a, cf. Lev 26:36; Deut 28:25). V. 2 expresses a truth justified by experience, for instance in the history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, that the strength and prosperity of a state is possible only under firm authority of one lawful king (as was in the kingdom of Judah), and not under many usurpers of royal power (in the kingdom of Israel). In v. 3, the desire of a new popular ruler to become rich quickly at the expense of the people is equated to the destructive action of a heavy rain, from which in tropical lands usually form extraordinarily swift torrents, which then quickly disappear and leave behind them a destructive drought. In vv. 4–5 there is a sharp opposition of those who violate and those who keep the law (cf. Isa 5:20).

Proverbs 28:6. Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a man whose ways are crooked, although he is rich. Proverbs 28:7. The one who keeps the law is a son of understanding; but one who keeps company with gluttons shames his father. Proverbs 28:8. He who increases his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for one who is kind to the poor. Proverbs 28:9. If anyone turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:10. He who leads the righteous astray on an evil path will himself fall into his pit; but the blameless will inherit good things. Proverbs 28:11. A rich man is wise in his own eyes; but a poor man of understanding will expose him. Proverbs 28:12. When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, people hide. V. 6 repeats the thought of Prov 19:1; v. 7 cf. Prov 23:20; v. 8 cf. Prov 13:22; Job 27:16-17; v. 9 cf. Prov 15:8; v. 10 cf. Prov 26:27; v. 11 cf. Prov 26:16. The thought of v. 12 on the beneficiality of the exaltation of the righteous and the ruinousness of the rise of sinners is repeated also further down Prov 29:2.

Proverbs 28:13. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper; but he who confesses and abandons them will find mercy. Proverbs 28:14. Blessed is the man who always walks in reverence; but he who hardens his heart will fall into trouble. Proverbs 28:15. Like a roaring lion and a hungry bear, so is a wicked ruler over a poor people. Proverbs 28:16. A ruler lacking understanding will practice much oppression; but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. Proverbs 28:17. A man burdened with bloodguilt will flee to the grave; no one will support him. Proverbs 28:18. He who walks in integrity will be delivered; but the one who goes in crooked ways will fall. In v. 13 is expressed the truth common to both Old and New Testaments (Ps 31:5 John 1:9) that free-hearted confession of his sins by a man brings him forgiveness from God, whereas stubborn concealment by a man of his sins or refusal to acknowledge them as such leads only to condemnation. V. 14 presents fear and reverence before God as a motive for repentance and confession of sins before God, the fear of offending His justice by the violation of His will. Vv. 15–16, like vv. 2–3, speak of negative and positive types of bearers of power; obviously, here is not the ideal viewpoint on royal power, but one derived from observations of experience. Vv. 17–18 speak of the defiled, stained conscience and the pure, blameless conscience, and of the different paths and fates of the one and the other.

Proverbs 28:19. He who tills his land will have plenty of food; but one who follows worthless pursuits will have poverty. Proverbs 28:20. A faithful man will be abounded with blessings; but he who hastens to be rich will not escape punishment. Proverbs 28:21. To show partiality is not good: a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. Proverbs 28:22. A man with an envious eye hastens after wealth, and does not know that poverty will come upon him. Proverbs 28:23. He who reproves a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. Proverbs 28:24. He who robs his father and mother and says: “It is no sin,” is a companion to a destroyer. Proverbs 28:25. The arrogant one kindles strife; but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper. Proverbs 28:26. He who trusts in himself is a fool; but he who walks in wisdom will be safe. Proverbs 28:27. He who gives to the poor will not lack; but he who closes his eyes to him will have many curses. Proverbs 28:28. When the wicked rise, people hide; but when they fall, the righteous increase. The praise of labor offered in v. 19 and the condemnation of idleness have already been expressed in Prov 11:11. In v. 20, the truthfulness and righteousness of a man are extolled, and, in contrast with that, the excessive desire of a man for rapid enrichment is condemned, both for its own sake and because such desire is usually joined with morally questionable means of acquisition (cf. Prov 20:21). Partiality at judgment has been condemned many times before: Prov 18:5, and is condemned here as well – v. 21. V. 22 supplements what is said in v. 21, pointing to the consequences of immoderate passion for acquisition. The crime indicated in v. 24 is branded as the most shameful in Prov 19:26, and especially in the words of the Savior (Matt 15:5; Mark 7:11). The arrogance and self-confidence of v. 25 were condemned also in Prov 21:4; cf. Prov 13:10. V. 26, in contrast with that, points to wisdom in the absence of self-confidence and in reliance on God. V. 27 condemns a lack of mercy toward the poor (cf. Deut 15:7; 2 Cor 9:9). V. 28 repeats the thought of v. 12.