Bible/Proverbs/22

Proverbs 22:16

22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

KJV

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Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want.

22:17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

What does Proverbs 22:16 mean?

Proverbs 22:16 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include עָשַׁק (ʻâshaq), דַּל (dal), רָבָה (râbâh). It connects to 16 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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He
that
oppressethעָשַׁקʻâshaq/aw-shak'/H6231to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
the
poorדַּלdal/dal/H1800properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin
to
increaseרָבָהrâbâh/raw-baw'/H7235to increase (in whatever respect)
his
riches,
and
he
that
givethנָתַןnâthan/naw-than'/H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
to
the
rich,עָשִׁירʻâshîyr/aw-sheer'/H6223rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
shall
surely
come
to
want.מַחְסוֹרmachçôwr/makh-sore'/H4270deficiency; hence, impoverishment

Commentary on Proverbs 22:16

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 22:16
shows what evil courses rich men sometimes take, by which, in the end, they will impoverish themselves and provoke God, notwithstanding their abundance, to bring them to want; they oppress the poor and give to the rich. 1. They will not in charity relieve the poor, but withhold from them, that by saving that which is really the best, but which they think the most needless part of their expenses, they may increase their riches; but they will make presents to the rich, and give them great entertainments, either in pride and vain-glory, that they may look great, or in policy, that they may receive it again with advantage. Such shall surely come to want. Many have been beggared by a foolish generosity, but never any by a prudent charity. Christ bids us to invite the poor, Luke xiv. 12, 13 . 2. They not only will not relieve the poor, but they oppress them, rob the spital, extort from their poor tenants and neighbours, invade the rights of those who have not wherewithal to defend themselves, and then give bribes to the rich, to protect and countenance them in it. But it is all in vain; they shall come to want. Those that rob God, and so make him the enemy, cannot secure themselves by giving to the rich, to make them their friends. Serious Attention Inculcated. 17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 1

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Exodus 32:26

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

Numbers 25:6

And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Judges 5:23

Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.

1 Kings 18:39

And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

1 Kings 18:40

And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. Take: or, Apprehend

2 Kings 9:32

And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. eunuchs: or, chamberlains

2 Kings 10:15

And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot. lighted on: Heb. found saluted: Heb. blessed

Nehemiah 5:7

Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. I consulted: Heb. my heart consulted in me

Isaiah 59:16

And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Jeremiah 5:1

Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

Jeremiah 26:16

Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.

Ezekiel 22:30

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

Matthew 12:30

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

John 7:50

Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) to Jesus: Gr. to him

John 7:51

Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

3 John 1:8

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. fellowhelpers: or, joint-labourers

Topics

MasterOppressionPoor, theRiches

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 22:16.

Exodus 30:15

The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. give more: Heb. multiply give less: Heb. diminish

Genesis 17:2

And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

Genesis 17:20

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

Proverbs 10:15

The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

Proverbs 14:31

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

Proverbs 28:11

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. own: Heb. eyes

Proverbs 28:3

A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. which: Heb. without food

Ruth 3:10

And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 22:16 say?

Proverbs 22:16 (King James Version) reads: "He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want."

Is Proverbs 22:16 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 22:16 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 22:16, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Proverbs 22:16
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