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Proverbs 22:7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/22.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower <i>is</i> servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower <i>is</i> servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower <i>becomes</i> the lender&#8217;s slave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender&#8217s slave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower <i>becomes</i> the lender&#8217;s slave.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is the slave of the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The poor are ruled by the rich, and those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/22.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />A rich person rules poor people, and a borrower is a slave to a lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Poor people are slaves of the rich. Borrow money and you are the lender's slave. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The wealthy rule over the poor, and anyone who borrows is a slave to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich rules over the poor, "" And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The rich over the poor ruleth, And a servant is the borrower to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The rich one will rule over the poor, and he borrowing, a servant to the man lending.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor. And the borrower is servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The rich shall be ruled by the poor, and the servant shall loan to his former lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A rich man will be authorized by the poor and the Servant will lend to him who was his lender.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The rich ruleth over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The rich will rule over the poor, and servants will lend to their own masters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/22-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=4426" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/22.htm">A Good Name</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">6</span>Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6223.htm" title="6223: &#8216;&#257;&#183;&#353;&#238;r (Adj-ms) -- Rich. From ashar; rich, whether literal or figurative.">The rich</a> <a href="/hebrew/4910.htm" title="4910: yim&#183;&#353;&#333;&#183;wl (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To rule, have dominion, reign. A primitive root; to rule.">rule</a> <a href="/hebrew/7326.htm" title="7326: b&#601;&#183;r&#257;&#183;&#353;&#238;m (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To be in want or poor. A primitive root; to be destitute.">over the poor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3867.htm" title="3867: l&#333;&#183;weh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to twine, i.e. to unite, to remain; also to borrow or To lend.">and the borrower</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: l&#601;&#183;&#8217;&#238;&#353; (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: w&#601;&#183;&#8216;e&#183;&#7687;e&#7695; (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">is slave</a> <a href="/hebrew/3867.htm" title="3867: mal&#183;weh (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to twine, i.e. to unite, to remain; also to borrow or To lend.">to the lender.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8</a></span><br />Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a></span><br />No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-6.htm">James 2:6</a></span><br />But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-23.htm">1 Corinthians 7:23</a></span><br />You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a></span><br />It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-6.htm">Deuteronomy 15:6</a></span><br />When the LORD your God blesses you as He has promised, you will lend to many nations but borrow from none; you will rule over many nations but be ruled by none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-12.htm">Deuteronomy 28:12</a></span><br />The LORD will open the heavens, His abundant storehouse, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations, but borrow from none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-4.htm">Nehemiah 5:4-5</a></span><br />Still others were saying, &#8220;We have borrowed money to pay the king&#8217;s tax on our fields and vineyards. / We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1</a></span><br />Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, &#8220;Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-5.htm">2 Kings 6:5</a></span><br />As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water. &#8220;Oh, my master,&#8221; he cried out, &#8220;it was borrowed!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-23.htm">Matthew 18:23-25</a></span><br />Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. / As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. / Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Exodus 22:25</a></span><br />If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-43</a></span><br />If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Nehemiah 5:1-5</a></span><br />About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. / Some were saying, &#8220;We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.&#8221; / Others were saying, &#8220;We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.&#8221; ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.</p><p class="hdg">rich</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Proverbs 22:16,22</a></b></br> He that oppresseth the poor to increase his <i>riches, and</i> he that giveth to the rich, <i>shall</i> surely <i>come</i> to want&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Proverbs 14:31</a></b></br> He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/18-23.htm">Proverbs 18:23</a></b></br> The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.</p><p class="hdg">the borrower</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1</a></b></br> Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/5-4.htm">Nehemiah 5:4,5</a></b></br> There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, <i>and that upon</i> our lands and vineyards&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/24-2.htm">Isaiah 24:2</a></b></br> And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.</p><p class="hdg">lender </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/22-15.htm">Borrower</a> <a href="/psalms/109-11.htm">Creditor</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-13.htm">Debt</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-11.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/luke/7-41.htm">Lender</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-2.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-2.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-10.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-32.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-2.htm">Ruleth</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-10.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-10.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-4.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/24-2.htm">Borrower</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-13.htm">Creditor</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-7.htm">Debt</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-17.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-2.htm">Lender</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-9.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Rich</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-28.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-2.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-23.htm">Ruleth</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-13.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-19.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/22-1.htm">A good name is more desirable than great wealth</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>The rich rule over the poor</b><br>This phrase highlights a recurring theme in biblical literature regarding the dynamics of wealth and power. In ancient Israel, as in many societies, wealth often translated into social and political influence. The rich, by virtue of their resources, could exert control over the less fortunate, shaping societal structures to their advantage. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:8</a>, which acknowledges the oppression of the poor and the perversion of justice. The Bible frequently warns against the misuse of wealth and power, urging the rich to act justly and to care for the needy, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a> and <a href="/james/2-6.htm">James 2:6</a>.<p><b>and the borrower is slave to the lender</b><br>This part of the verse underscores the vulnerability and dependency that come with debt. In the ancient Near East, borrowing often led to a loss of freedom, as debtors could become indentured servants if they failed to repay their loans. This reality is reflected in the laws of the Old Testament, such as those found in <a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-43</a>, which provide guidelines for the treatment of debt slaves. The imagery of slavery here is potent, illustrating the loss of autonomy and the burden of obligation that debt imposes. This principle is timeless, warning against the dangers of financial overextension and encouraging prudent stewardship of resources. The New Testament also speaks to the spiritual dimension of debt, with Jesus Christ offering freedom from the ultimate debt of sin, as seen in passages like <a href="/romans/6-18.htm">Romans 6:18</a>, where believers are described as being set free from sin and becoming slaves to righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_rich.htm">The Rich</a></b><br>Individuals who possess wealth and resources, often having influence and power over others.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_poor.htm">The Poor</a></b><br>Those who lack financial resources and are often subject to the authority or control of the wealthy.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_borrower.htm">The Borrower</a></b><br>A person who takes on debt, thereby entering into a relationship of obligation to the lender.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lender.htm">The Lender</a></b><br>The individual or entity that provides resources or money to the borrower, establishing a position of authority over them.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_financial_authority.htm">Understanding Financial Authority</a></b><br>Recognize that wealth often brings power and influence, which can be used for good or ill. Christians are called to use their resources responsibly and ethically.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_burden_of_debt.htm">The Burden of Debt</a></b><br>Acknowledge that debt can lead to a form of bondage, limiting freedom and creating stress. It is wise to avoid unnecessary debt and strive for financial independence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/biblical_stewardship.htm">Biblical Stewardship</a></b><br>Embrace the biblical principle of stewardship, managing resources wisely and living within one's means to avoid the pitfalls of debt.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generosity_and_lending.htm">Generosity and Lending</a></b><br>Consider the biblical call to generosity, where lending is done with a spirit of kindness and without expecting repayment, reflecting God's grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_implications_of_debt.htm">Spiritual Implications of Debt</a></b><br>Reflect on how financial obligations can impact one's spiritual life, potentially hindering one's ability to serve God fully and freely.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_proverbs_22_7_lack_solutions.htm">Proverbs 22:7: Why does the text point out the rule of the rich over the poor but offer no direct solution to systemic economic oppression? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_christians_get_a_mortgage.htm">Should Christians consider taking out a mortgage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/avoid_owing_anything_to_anyone.htm">Should we avoid owing anything to anyone?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_christians_celebrate_valentine's.htm">Should Christians celebrate Valentine's Day?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The rich ruleth over the poor.</span> "The rich man (singular) will rule over the poor" (plural); for there are many poor for one rich (see on ver. 3). This is the way of the world (<a href="/proverbs/18-23.htm">Proverbs 18:23</a>). Aben Ezra explains the gnome as showing the advantage of wealth and the inconvenience of poverty; the former bringing power and pre-eminence, the latter trouble and servitude; and hence the moralist implies that every one should strive and labour to obtain a competency, and thus avoid the evils of impecuniosity. The borrower is servant to the lender. (For the relation between borrower and louder, or debtor and creditor, see on Proverbs 20:16; and comp. <a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Matthew 18:25, 34</a>.) Delitzsch cites the German saying, "Borghart (borrower) is Lehnhart's (leader's) servant." We have the proverb, "He that goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing." The Septuagint departs from the other versions and our Hebrew text, translating, "The rich will role over the poor, and household servants will lend to their own masters" - a reading on which some of the Fathers have commented. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/22-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The rich</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1464;&#1453;&#1513;&#1473;&#1460;&#1497;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;&#257;&#183;&#353;&#238;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6223.htm">Strong's 6223: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rich</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rule</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1460;&#1502;&#1456;&#1513;&#1473;&#1425;&#1493;&#1465;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(yim&#183;&#353;&#333;&#183;wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4910.htm">Strong's 4910: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rule, have dominion, reign</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over the poor,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1512;&#1464;&#1513;&#1473;&#1460;&#1443;&#1497;&#1501;</span> <span class="translit">(b&#601;&#183;r&#257;&#183;&#353;&#238;m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b &#124; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7326.htm">Strong's 7326: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be in want or poor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the borrower</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1465;&#1437;&#1493;&#1462;&#1431;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#333;&#183;weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3867.htm">Strong's 3867: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twine, to unite, to remain, to borrow, to lend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is slave</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1506;&#1462;&#1445;&#1489;&#1462;&#1491;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;&#8216;e&#183;&#7687;e&#7695;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the lender.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1502;&#1463;&#1500;&#1456;&#1493;&#1462;&#1469;&#1492;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(mal&#183;weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3867.htm">Strong's 3867: </a> </span><span class="str2">To twine, to unite, to remain, to borrow, to lend</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/22-7.htm">Proverbs 22:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/22-7.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 22:7 The rich rule over the poor (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/22-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 22:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 22:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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