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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/28.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/28.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/28.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/28.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/28.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A poor man that oppresseth the poor <i>is like</i> a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/28.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A poor man who oppresses the poor <i>Is like</i> a driving rain which leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A poor man who oppresses the helpless Is <i>like</i> a driving rain which leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/28.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is <i>like</i> a driving rain which leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is a driving rain which leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A poor man who oppresses <i>and</i> exploits the lowly Is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/28.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When someone poor takes over and mistreats the poor, it's like a heavy rain destroying the crops. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/28.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A needy man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A poor person who oppresses poorer people is like a driving rain that leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/28.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/28.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A poor man who oppresses the weak is like a rainstorm that destroys all the crops.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/28.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A poor person who oppresses the weak is like a driving rain without food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/28.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A man—poor and oppressing the weak, "" [Is] a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A man -- poor and oppressing the weak, Is a sweeping rain, and there is no bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A poor man oppressing the poor, a sweeping rain and no bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A poor man slandering the poor is like a violent rainstorm in advance of a famine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/28.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />One who is poor and extorts from the lowly is a devastating rain that leaves no food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />A ruler who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which is of no benefit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/28.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A poor man that harms the poor is like a beating rain with no benefit in it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A poor man that oppresseth the weak Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A bold man oppresses the poor by ungodly deeds. As an impetuous and profitable rain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/28-3.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=5704" 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/28.htm">The Boldness of the Righteous</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7326.htm" title="7326: rāš (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be in want or poor. A primitive root; to be destitute.">A destitute</a> <a href="/hebrew/1397.htm" title="1397: ge·ḇer (N-ms) -- Man. From gabar; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply.">leader</a> <a href="/hebrew/6231.htm" title="6231: wə·‘ō·šêq (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To oppress, wrong, extort. A primitive root; to press upon, i.e. Oppress, defraud, violate, overflow.">who oppresses</a> <a href="/hebrew/1800.htm" title="1800: dal·lîm (Adj-mpc) -- Dangling, weak, thin. From dalal; properly, dangling, i.e. weak or thin.">the poor</a> <a href="/hebrew/5502.htm" title="5502: sō·ḥêp̄ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Prostrate. A primitive root; to scrape off.">is like a driving</a> <a href="/hebrew/4306.htm" title="4306: mā·ṭār (N-ms) -- Rain. From matar; rain.">rain</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">that leaves no</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: lā·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">food.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <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="/james/2-6.htm">James 2:6-7</a></span><br />But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? / Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Isaiah 3:14-15</a></span><br />The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. / Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Ezekiel 22:29</a></span><br />The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/4-1.htm">Amos 4:1</a></span><br />Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Micah 2:2</a></span><br />They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Matthew 23:14</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-47.htm">Luke 20:47</a></span><br />They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/24-2.htm">Job 24:2-4</a></span><br />Men move boundary stones; they pasture stolen flocks. / They drive away the donkey of the fatherless and take the widow’s ox in pledge. / They push the needy off the road and force all the poor of the land into hiding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-10.htm">Zechariah 7:10</a></span><br />Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Jeremiah 5:28</a></span><br />They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.<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, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.” / Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Exodus 22:25-27</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. / If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Deuteronomy 24:14-15</a></span><br />Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. / You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-35.htm">Leviticus 25:35-37</a></span><br />Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. / Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. / You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-2.htm">Psalm 10:2</a></span><br />In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food.</p><p class="hdg">poor man</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/18-28.htm">Matthew 18:28-30</a></b></br> But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took <i>him</i> by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/18-6.htm">Beating</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-27.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-2.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-4.htm">Crops</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-4.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-26.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-27.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/88-15.htm">Helpless</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-10.htm">Leaves</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Oppresses</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Oppresseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Oppressing</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-15.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-15.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-19.htm">Sweeping</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-28.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-7.htm">Weak</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-24.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/24-13.htm">Beating</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-10.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/35-9.htm">Crops</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-1.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-28.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-13.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-19.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-15.htm">Helpless</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-13.htm">Leaves</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-14.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-12.htm">Oppresses</a> <a href="/numbers/10-9.htm">Oppresseth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-38.htm">Oppressing</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-6.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-3.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-15.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-1.htm">Sweeping</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-8.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-10.htm">Weak</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-6.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 28</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/28-1.htm">general observations of impiety and integrity</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'; 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In biblical times, leaders were expected to be shepherds of their people, providing guidance and protection. The oppression of the poor by such a leader is a grave injustice, as leaders are called to uphold righteousness and justice (<a href="/proverbs/29-14.htm">Proverbs 29:14</a>). The Bible consistently emphasizes God's concern for the poor and marginalized, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Psalm 82:3-4</a> and <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a>. The failure of a leader to care for the poor is a violation of divine principles and reflects a lack of wisdom and understanding.<p><b>is like a driving rain</b><br>The imagery of a "driving rain" suggests a forceful and destructive storm. In the agricultural context of ancient Israel, rain was generally seen as a blessing, essential for crops and sustenance (<a href="/deuteronomy/11-14.htm">Deuteronomy 11:14</a>). However, a driving rain implies excessive and uncontrolled force, which can lead to destruction rather than nourishment. This metaphor underscores the destructive impact of a leader who abuses power, causing harm rather than fostering growth and prosperity.<p><b>that leaves no food</b><br>The result of such a destructive rain is a barren land, devoid of the sustenance needed for survival. This outcome symbolizes the consequences of oppressive leadership: instead of providing for the needs of the people, it results in scarcity and suffering. The Bible often uses agricultural metaphors to illustrate spiritual truths, as seen in passages like <a href="/amos/4-7.htm">Amos 4:7-8</a>, where God withholds rain as a form of judgment. Similarly, a leader who fails to nurture and protect the people leads to a community that lacks the essentials for life and well-being. This serves as a warning against the misuse of power and the importance of righteous leadership.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/poor_man.htm">Poor Man</a></b><br>In this context, the "poor man" refers to someone who lacks wealth or resources but still holds a position of power or influence over others who are even more disadvantaged.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lowly.htm">The Lowly</a></b><br>These are individuals who are already in a vulnerable or disadvantaged position, often lacking power, resources, or social standing.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/driving_rain.htm">Driving Rain</a></b><br>This metaphor represents a force that is expected to bring nourishment and growth but instead causes destruction and leaves nothing beneficial behind.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_irony_of_oppression_by_the_oppressed.htm">The Irony of Oppression by the Oppressed</a></b><br>It is a tragic irony when those who have experienced hardship themselves become oppressors. This behavior contradicts the expectation that they would empathize with and support others in similar situations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/destructive_leadership.htm">Destructive Leadership</a></b><br>Just as a driving rain can devastate crops, a leader or person in power who oppresses rather than uplifts can cause significant harm to those they are meant to help.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_compassion_and_justice.htm">Call to Compassion and Justice</a></b><br>Believers are called to act justly and show compassion, especially towards those who are vulnerable. This aligns with the biblical mandate to love our neighbors as ourselves.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_responsibility_of_influence.htm">The Responsibility of Influence</a></b><br>Regardless of one's own circumstances, having influence over others comes with the responsibility to use it for good, not harm.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ's_love.htm">Reflecting Christ's Love</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are to reflect His love and mercy, ensuring that our actions bring life and nourishment, not destruction.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_28.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 28</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_proverbs_12_4_with_exodus_21.htm">Proverbs 12:4 extols a virtuous wife, but how can we reconcile this with other biblical passages portraying women as subordinate or property (e.g., Exodus 21)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_people_resist_wicked_rulers.htm">Why does 'when the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding' (Proverbs 28:12) conflict with historical examples where oppressed individuals publicly resist unjust rulers?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_some_rulers_act_against_romans_13_3.htm">If Romans 13:3 claims rulers promote good and punish bad, why have some historical governments done the opposite without facing apparent divine judgment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'called_by_his_purpose'_mean.htm">How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/28.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">A poor man that oppresseth the poor.--</span>If the recollection of his own former troubles has not softened his heart towards his poor neighbours, he will be rendered more callous to their sufferings.<p><span class= "bld">Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.</span>--That sweeps away grain and soil, instead of bringing plenty with it.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A poor man that oppresseth the poor.</span> The words rendered "poor" are different. The former is rash, "needy," the latter <span class="accented">dal</span>, "feeble" (see on Proverbs 10:15). Delitzsch notes that, in accordance with the accents in the Masoretic text, we should translate, "A poor man and an oppressor of the lowly - a sweeping rain without bringing bread," which would mean that a tyrant who oppresses the lowly bears the same relation to the poor that a devastating rain does to those whom it deprives of their food. But it is pretty certain that "the poor" and "the oppressor" designate the same person (though the vocalization is against it); hence the gnome refers to a usurper who, rising to power from poor estate, makes the very worst and most tyrannical ruler. Such a one has learned nothing from his former condition but callous indifference, and now seeks to exercise on others that power which once galled him. Thus among schoolboys it is found that the greatest bully is one who has himself been bullied; and needy revolutionists make the most rapacious and iniquitous demagogues. Of such tyrants the prophets complain (see <a href="/isaiah/5-8.htm">Isaiah 5:8</a>, etc.; <a href="/micah/2-2.htm">Micah 2:2</a>). Wordsworth refers, as an illustration, to Catiline and his fellow conspirators, who were moved by selfish interests to overthrow the commonwealth. Many modern commentators (<span class="accented">e.g.</span>, Hitzig, Delitzsch, Nowack), in view of the present text, regarding the combination <span class="hebrew">נבר רשׁ</span>, and noting that elsewhere the oppressor and the poor are always introduced in opposition (comp. <a href="/proverbs/29-13.htm">Proverbs 29:13</a>), read <span class="hebrew">רלֺאשׁ</span>, or consider <span class="hebrew">רשׁ</span> as equivalent to it - <span class="accented">rosh</span>, "the head," in the signification of "master," "ruler." The gnome thus becomes concinnous, the ruler who ought to benefit his dependents, but injures them, corresponding to the rain which, instead of fertilizing, devastates the crops. The LXX. had a different reading, as it readers, "A bold man in his impieties (<span class="greek">ἀνδρεῖος ἐν ἀσεβείαις</span>) calumniates the poor." <span class="cmt_word">Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food;</span> literally, <span class="accented">and</span> <span class="accented">not</span> <span class="accented">bread</span>. A violent storm coming at seed time and washing away soil and seed, or happening at harvest time and destroying the ripe corn. Vulgate, <span class="accented">Similis est imbri vehementi</span>, <span class="accented">in quo paratur fames</span>. Ewald supposes that such proverbs as these and the following belong to the time of Jeroboam II, when the prosperity of the people induced luxury and arrogance, and was accompanied with much moral evil, oppression, and perversion of justice ('Hist. of Israel,' 3:126, Eng. transl.). The Bengalee compares the relation of the rich oppressor to the poor, not with the rainstorm, but with that of the carving knife to the pumpkin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/28-3.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">A destitute</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֭שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(rāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<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">leader</span><br /><span class="heb">גֶּ֣בֶר</span> <span class="translit">(ge·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1397.htm">Strong's 1397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valiant man, warrior, a person simply</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who oppresses</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֹשֵׁ֣ק</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ō·šêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6231.htm">Strong's 6231: </a> </span><span class="str2">To press upon, oppress, defraud, violate, overflow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the poor</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּלִּ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(dal·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1800.htm">Strong's 1800: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dangling, weak, thin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is like a driving</span><br /><span class="heb">סֹ֝חֵ֗ף</span> <span class="translit">(sō·ḥêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5502.htm">Strong's 5502: </a> </span><span class="str2">To scrape off</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rain</span><br /><span class="heb">מָטָ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ṭār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4306.htm">Strong's 4306: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that leaves no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">food.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽחֶם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/28-3.htm">Proverbs 28:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/28-3.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 28:3 A needy man who oppresses the poor (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/28-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 28:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 28:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/28-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 28:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 28:4" /></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>