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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/22.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/22.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Rob not the poor, because he <i>is</i> poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because he <i>is</i> poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor crush the needy at the gate;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because he is poor, And do not crush the afflicted at the gate;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because he is poor [and defenseless], Nor crush the afflicted [by legal proceedings] at the gate [where the city court is held],<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t rob a poor person because he is poor, and don’t crush the oppressed at the city gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t rob a poor man because he is poor, and don&#8217t crush the oppressed at the gate, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't take advantage of the poor or cheat them in court. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Rob not the poor, because he is poor, neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because they are poor or trample on the rights of an oppressed person at the city gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Don't take advantage of the poor just because you can; don't take advantage of those who stand helpless in court. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Don't rob the poor person because he is poor, and don't crush the helpless in court, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor and do not crush the needy in court, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not exploit the poor, because he is poor; and do not crush the needy in court;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because he [is] poor, "" And do not bruise the afflicted in the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Rob not the poor because he is poor, And bruise not the afflicted in the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not strip the poor because he is poor: and thou shalt not crush the humble in the gate.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do not act with violence toward the pauper because he is poor. And do not weary the needy at the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because they are poor, nor crush the needy at the gate; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not rob the poor because they are poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Do not oppress the poor because he is poor; neither afflict the needy in the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not oppress the poor because he is poor and do not humiliate the afflicted one in the gate.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Rob not the weak, because he is weak, Neither crush the poor in the gate;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Do no violence to the poor, for he is needy: neither dishonour the helpless <i>man</i> in the gates.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/22-22.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=4534" 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">Thirty Sayings of the Wise</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>to show you true and reliable words, that you may soundly answer those who sent you? <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1497.htm" title="1497: tiḡ·zāl- (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To tear away, seize, rob. A primitive root; to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob.">rob</a> <a href="/hebrew/1800.htm" title="1800: dāl (Adj-msc) -- Dangling, weak, thin. From dalal; properly, dangling, i.e. weak or thin.">a poor</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">man because</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/1800.htm" title="1800: ḏal- (Adj-ms) -- Dangling, weak, thin. From dalal; properly, dangling, i.e. weak or thin.">is poor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">and do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1792.htm" title="1792: tə·ḏak·kê (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To crush. A primitive root; to crumble; transitively, to bruise.">crush</a> <a href="/hebrew/6041.htm" title="6041: ‘ā·nî (Adj-ms) -- Poor, afflicted, humble. From anah; depressed, in mind or circumstances.">the afflicted</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: ḇaš·šā·‘ar (Prep, Art:: N-ms) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">at the gate,</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob 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="/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6</a></span><br />You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1-2</a></span><br />Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Amos 5:11-12</a></span><br />Therefore, because you trample on the poor and exact from him a tax of grain, you will never live in the stone houses you have built; you will never drink the wine from the lush vineyards you have planted. / For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Micah 2:1-2</a></span><br />Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. / 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="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / 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="/malachi/3-5.htm">Malachi 3:5</a></span><br />“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Psalm 82:3-4</a></span><br />Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/72-4.htm">Psalm 72:4</a></span><br />May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/5-15.htm">Job 5:15-16</a></span><br />He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth and from the clutches of the powerful. / So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-5.htm">James 2:5-6</a></span><br />Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? / 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="/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/20-46.htm">Luke 20:46-47</a></span><br />“Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / 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="/luke/3-14.htm">Luke 3:14</a></span><br />Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:</p><p class="hdg">rob</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/23-10.htm">Proverbs 23:10</a></b></br> Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Ezekiel 22:29</a></b></br> The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.</p><p class="hdg">oppress</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16</a></b></br> The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6</a></b></br> Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/29-12.htm">Job 29:12-16</a></b></br> Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and <i>him that had</i> none to help him… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/15-15.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/psalms/94-5.htm">Bruise</a> <a href="/psalms/45-12.htm">Court</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/psalms/110-6.htm">Crush</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-14.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-3.htm">Exploit</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-8.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-31.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Oppress</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-11.htm">Property</a> <a href="/psalms/89-41.htm">Rob</a> <a href="/psalms/109-24.htm">Weak</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/26-28.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-6.htm">Bruise</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">Court</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-4.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-22.htm">Crush</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-28.htm">Crushed</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-17.htm">Exploit</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-7.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-15.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-3.htm">Needy</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-20.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-5.htm">Oppress</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-14.htm">Property</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-23.htm">Rob</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-10.htm">Weak</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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 ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not rob a poor man because he is poor</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the moral imperative to protect the vulnerable in society. In ancient Israel, the poor were often marginalized and lacked the resources to defend themselves. The command not to rob them underscores the biblical principle of justice and compassion. The Torah, particularly in books like Deuteronomy and Leviticus, repeatedly calls for the protection of the poor and the fair treatment of all individuals, regardless of their social status. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's concern for the oppressed, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Psalm 82:3-4</a>, which calls for defending the weak and fatherless. The prohibition against exploiting the poor is a reflection of God's character, who is described as a defender of the needy (<a href="/psalms/68-5.htm">Psalm 68:5</a>).<p><b>and do not crush the afflicted at the gate</b><br>The "gate" in ancient cities was not only a physical entry point but also a place where legal matters were settled and justice was administered. To "crush the afflicted at the gate" refers to the abuse of power in legal settings, where the poor and afflicted could be easily taken advantage of due to their lack of influence or resources. This phrase warns against corrupt practices and the perversion of justice, which were common issues addressed by the prophets, such as Amos and Isaiah. The gate was a symbol of justice and community leadership, and the call to maintain integrity there is a reminder of the responsibility to uphold righteousness. This connects to the New Testament teachings of Jesus, who often spoke against hypocrisy and the mistreatment of the marginalized, as seen in His rebukes of the Pharisees and His parables about justice and mercy (e.g., <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_poor_man.htm">The Poor Man</a></b><br>Represents individuals who are economically disadvantaged and vulnerable to exploitation.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_afflicted.htm">The Afflicted</a></b><br>Refers to those who are suffering or oppressed, often due to their socio-economic status.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_gate.htm">The Gate</a></b><br>In ancient times, city gates were places of legal transactions and public gatherings, symbolizing justice and community decision-making.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_justice.htm">Value of Justice</a></b><br>God calls His people to uphold justice, especially for the vulnerable. We must ensure that our actions and systems do not exploit or oppress the poor.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_over_exploitation.htm">Compassion Over Exploitation</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to show compassion and mercy rather than taking advantage of others' weaknesses or misfortunes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>As members of a community, Christians have a responsibility to advocate for fair treatment and justice for all, particularly at places of decision-making and influence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_character.htm">Reflecting God's Character</a></b><br>By protecting and supporting the poor and afflicted, we reflect God's heart for justice and mercy in our lives and communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_advocacy.htm">Practical Advocacy</a></b><br>Engage in practical ways to support the poor, such as volunteering, supporting fair trade, and advocating for policies that protect the vulnerable.<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/how_to_live_wisely_per_amenemope.htm">How should one live wisely according to Amenemope?</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/why_does_god_allow_wealth_inequality.htm">Proverbs 22:2: How can a just God create both rich and poor yet allow extreme wealth inequality to persist?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_exploiting_others.htm">What does the Bible say about exploiting others?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>5. FIRST APPENDIX TO THE "PROVERBS OF SOLOMON" (<a href="/proverbs/10-1.htm" title="The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.">Proverbs 10:1</a> to <a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm" title="He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want.">Proverbs 22:16</a>), CONTAINING PROVERBS OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS, FROM THE DISTICH TO THE LENGTHENED DIDACTIC POEM (<a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm" title="Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:">Proverbs 22:22</a> to <a href="/proverbs/24-22.htm" title="For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both?">Proverbs 24:22</a>).<p>(22) <span class= "bld">Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate.--</span>The place of business (<a href="/genesis/34-20.htm" title="And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and communed with the men of their city, saying,">Genesis 34:20</a>) and of judgment (<a href="/deuteronomy/21-19.htm" title="Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out to the elders of his city, and to the gate of his place;">Deuteronomy 21:19</a>; <a href="/amos/5-15.htm" title="Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.">Amos 5:15</a>). (Comp. the title, "the Sublime Porte.") This, with the following <a href="/proverbs/22-23.htm" title="For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.">Proverbs 22:23</a>, forms a tetrastich or verse of four lines, as do also <a href="/context/proverbs/22-24.htm" title="Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man you shall not go:">Proverbs 22:24-25</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22-ch. 24:22.</span> - Here commence the "words of the wise." <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - This and the following verse form a terrastich, which connects itself in thought with ver. 16. <span class="cmt_word">Rob not the poor, because he is poor.</span> The word for "poor" is here <span class="accented">dal</span>, which means "feeble," "powerless" (see on Proverbs 19:4), and the writer enjoins the disciple not to be induced by his weakness to injure and despoil a poor man. <span class="cmt_word">Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate.</span> The gate is the place of judgment, the court of justice (comp. <a href="/job/31-21.htm">Job 31:21</a>). The warning points to the particular form of wrong inflicted on the lowly by unjust judges, who could give sentences from which, however iniquitous, there was practically no appeal. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/22-22.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">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rob</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּגְזָל־</span> <span class="translit">(tiḡ·zāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1497.htm">Strong's 1497: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pluck off, to flay, strip, rob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a poor</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּ֭ל</span> <span class="translit">(dāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular 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">man because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֑וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is poor,</span><br /><span class="heb">דַל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḏal-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<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">and do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">crush</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּדַכֵּ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(tə·ḏak·kê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1792.htm">Strong's 1792: </a> </span><span class="str2">To crumble, to bruise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the afflicted</span><br /><span class="heb">עָנִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6041.htm">Strong's 6041: </a> </span><span class="str2">Poor, afflicted, humble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at the gate,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַשָּֽׁעַר׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇaš·šā·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, gate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/22-22.htm">Proverbs 22:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/22-22.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 22:22 Don't exploit the poor because he (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 22:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/22-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 22:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22:23" /></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>