2. a man] This is better taken collectively, and rendered men, as in R.V. text.

the state thereof] i.e. its stability. This rendering is retained in R.V. Others render (taking the word state in its more usual sense as an adverb) so, on that condition, sc. of its possessing men of understanding and knowledge, it (the land) shall be continued. But there seems hardly sufficient reason for laying such stress upon the condition, nor is there much force in saying the land shall continue.

The proverb is abundantly illustrated by the history of Israel. See, for example, 1 Kings 16:8-28.

3. a poor man] Better, with R.V., a needy man, the Hebrew word being different from that rendered poor immediately after.

The proverb has commonly been held to refer to official oppression. “A man in authority is implied. In many Eastern countries the offices of government are frequently sold to needy men, who use their power to reimburse themselves by oppressing others,” Rel. Tr. Soc. Comm. But the scope of the proverb must not be restricted to this. It is quite general, and is verified in the exactions of the needy employer, or owner, or creditor among ourselves, as well as in the oppression of Oriental misrule.

“The hungry contractor undertakes the job at the lowest possible price, and secures his profit by getting hungrier and weaker creatures than himself to do the work at a price lower than possible, literally at starvation wages.” Horton.

leaveth no food] Heb. without food; Vulg. in quo paratur fames; which, instead of bringing fruitful seasons (Acts 14:17; Isaiah 30:23), takes away man’s food by uprooting the herbs of the field and washing the seed corn out of the earth.

4. the law] not in its Jewish form, “The Law,” sc. of Moses, but in its wider sense; and so in Proverbs 28:7; Proverbs 28:9, below. See Introd. p. 13.

5. The intellectual condition depends upon the moral and spiritual. “Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge.” Comp. John 7:17.

6. 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.

7. riotous] Rather, gluttonous. See Proverbs 23:20, note.

8. 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.

9. abomination] Comp. ch. Proverbs 15:8.

10. the upright &c.] Better, with R.V., the perfect shall inherit good.

11. searcheth him out] sees through him, as we should say, “Bene novit, neutiquam, ut Euripidis utamur dicto, τὸν εὐτυχοῦντα πάντʼ ἐπίστασθαι καλῶς,” Maurer.

12. a man is hidden] Rather, men hide themselves, R.V. “Heb. must be searched for,” marg. Comp. Proverbs 28:28.

14. feareth] i.e. to do wrong, with a wise and godly caution. ὂς καταπτήσσει πάντα διʼ εὐλάβειαν, LXX. Comp. the N.T. use of εὐλάβεια and its cognates, Hebrews 5:7; Hebrews 11:7.

mischief] “Or, calamity,” R.V. marg.

15. ranging] i.e. with a view to satisfy its hunger. The word is used in its secondary sense, hungry, Psalm 107:9. Comp. 1 Peter 5:8. λέων πεινῶν καὶ λύκος διψῶν, LXX., ursus esuriens, Vulg.

16. The prince &c.] Lit. A prince that lacketh understanding and a great oppressor! i.e. the two are identical. There is no particle of connection or contrast between the two clauses of the verse, and R.V. marg. adopts the view that the whole verse is a continuous address or admonition: O prince that lackest understanding and art a great oppressor, he that, &c.

17. doeth violence to] Rather, is laden with, R.V. See Genesis 9:6.

18. that is perverse in his ways] Or, walketh (understood from the first clause of the verse) perversely in two ways. “Heb. perverse of two ways.” R.V. marg. See Proverbs 28:6, note.

at once] Some commentators render, not very happily, in one of them, i.e. of the two ways mentioned in the first clause of the verse.

19. Comp. Proverbs 12:11.

20. faithful] i.e., as the second clause shews, one who puts fidelity above gain. Comp. Psalm 15:4.

innocent] Rather, unpunished, A.V. marg. and R.V. οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται, LXX.

21. For … that man will transgress] Or, Neither that a man should transgress, R.V. The rendering of A.V., however, which is retained substantially in R.V. marg., has the support both of LXX. and Vulg.

a piece of bread] Dean Plumptre, in Speaker’s Comm., and others quote the words of Cato with reference to M. Cœlius, “frusto panis conduci potest, vel uti taceat, vel uti loquatur,” A. Gell., Noct. Att. i. 15.

transgress] i.e., as the former clause indicates, pervert justice by shewing partiality.

22. He that hasteth &c. The order of subject and predicate should be reversed as in A.V. marg. and R.V.: He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches. After the manner of this Collection, we have three proverbs (Proverbs 28:20-21) on the same subject brought together. Covetousness is a characteristic of a man who is untrustworthy, Proverbs 28:20, partial, Proverbs 28:21, and mean and grudging, Proverbs 28:22.

poverty] Or, want, R.V. Because it is “the liberal soul” that “shall be made fat,” Proverbs 11:25. Comp. Isaiah 32:8.

24. a destroyer] “That is the deliberate villain who is prepared for any crime. Comp. Matthew 15:4; Matthew 15:6.” Rel. Tr. Soc. Comm. Comp. Proverbs 18:9.

25. of a proud heart] Lit. wide of soul. This may mean having his soul enlarged, either by the elation of pride, as A.V. (comp. wide of heart, Proverbs 21:4; Psalm 101:5), or by the desire of gain, He that is of a greedy spirit, R.V. The expression breadth or width of heart is used in a good sense, 1 Kings 4:29 [Hebrews 5:9]. Comp. Psalm 119:32; Isaiah 60:5; 2 Corinthians 6:11.

27. hideth his eyes] in neglect or disgust. Comp. Isaiah 1:15; and see Sir 4:5-6.