A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days. A leader who lacks judgmentThe Hebrew word for "leader" here is "נָגִיד" (nagid), which often refers to a prince or ruler. This term implies someone with authority and responsibility over others. The phrase "lacks judgment" uses the Hebrew "חֲסַר תְּבוּנָה" (chaser tevunah), meaning devoid of understanding or discernment. In a biblical context, judgment is not merely about making decisions but involves wisdom, justice, and the fear of the Lord. A leader without these qualities can lead to chaos and suffering for those under his rule. Historically, Israel's kings were expected to rule with divine wisdom, as seen in Solomon's request for wisdom to govern his people ( 1 Kings 3:9). The absence of such judgment results in oppression, as the leader fails to act in the best interest of the people. is also a great oppressor
The Hebrew word for "oppressor" is "מַעֲשֵׁק" (ma'asek), which conveys the idea of someone who exploits or crushes others. The term "great" (רַב, rav) emphasizes the extent of the oppression. In the biblical narrative, oppression is often condemned as it goes against God's justice and care for the marginalized. Leaders who lack judgment often resort to oppression as they prioritize their power and wealth over the well-being of their subjects. This is a warning against tyranny and the abuse of power, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature where God calls out the leaders of Israel for their unjust practices (Isaiah 10:1-2). but he who hates dishonest profit
The phrase "hates dishonest profit" uses the Hebrew "שֹׂנֵא בֶּצַע" (sone betsa), where "betsa" refers to gain acquired through unjust means, such as bribery or corruption. The verb "hates" (שֹׂנֵא, sane) is a strong term indicating a deep aversion. In the wisdom literature, righteousness is often associated with integrity and fairness. The Bible consistently teaches that God detests dishonest gain (Proverbs 11:1) and calls His people to live justly. A leader who despises such profit aligns himself with God's values, promoting justice and equity. will prolong his days
The promise of prolonged days is a common biblical motif associated with living in accordance with God's commandments (Deuteronomy 5:33). The Hebrew "יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים" (ya'arikh yamim) suggests not only a long life but a life of blessing and fulfillment. In the context of leadership, this implies that a ruler who governs with integrity and justice will enjoy stability and prosperity. This reflects the biblical principle that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34) and that God blesses those who walk in His ways. The verse concludes with a hopeful promise that contrasts the destructive path of oppression with the life-giving path of justice and righteousness. Persons / Places / Events 1. LeaderRefers to anyone in a position of authority or governance, whether in a family, community, or nation. 2. OppressorSomeone who exercises authority in a harsh or unjust manner, often exploiting others for personal gain. 3. Dishonest ProfitIll-gotten gains acquired through deceitful or unethical means. 4. Prolonging DaysA Hebrew idiom suggesting a long life, often associated with living righteously and in accordance with God's will. Teaching Points The Responsibility of LeadershipLeaders are called to exercise wisdom and discernment. A lack of judgment can lead to oppression and injustice, harming those under their care. The Dangers of Dishonest GainPursuing dishonest profit not only harms others but also jeopardizes one's own integrity and relationship with God. True prosperity comes from righteousness, not deceit. The Blessing of IntegrityHating dishonest gain and choosing integrity leads to a life that is blessed and prolonged. This aligns with the biblical principle that righteousness leads to life. The Impact of Righteous LeadershipRighteous leaders bring peace and prosperity to their communities. Their influence extends beyond their tenure, leaving a legacy of justice and righteousness. The Call to Personal ReflectionEach believer is called to examine their own life for areas where they may be tempted by dishonest gain and to commit to living with integrity. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of leadership in Proverbs 28:16 apply to roles outside of government, such as in families or workplaces? 2. In what ways can the pursuit of dishonest profit manifest in everyday life, and how can believers guard against it? 3. How does the promise of prolonged days for those who hate dishonest gain encourage us to live righteously? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our leadership, in any capacity, is marked by wisdom and justice? 5. How do the teachings in Proverbs 28:16 connect with Jesus' teachings on wealth and integrity in the Gospels? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 29:2Highlights the impact of righteous and wicked rulers on the people they govern, emphasizing the joy of the former and the groaning caused by the latter. 1 Timothy 6:10Discusses the love of money as a root of all kinds of evil, connecting to the idea of dishonest profit. Ecclesiastes 8:12-13Contrasts the fate of the wicked and the righteous, reinforcing the idea that those who fear God will ultimately fare better. Micah 6:8Calls for justice, mercy, and humility, aligning with the rejection of dishonest gain and the pursuit of righteousness. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Covetousness, Cruel, Desire, Dishonest, Enjoy, Gain, Gotten, Hates, Hateth, Hating, Ill, Ill-gotten, Intelligence, Judgment, Lacketh, Lacking, Lacks, Leader, Multiplieth, Oppressions, Oppressor, Prince, Profit, Prolong, Prolongeth, Ruler, Sense, Tyrannical, Understanding, Unjust, Void, WantethDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 28:16 5465 profit
5846 enjoyment
8227 discernment, nature of
8355 understanding Library Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh "If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 28:16 NIVProverbs 28:16 NLTProverbs 28:16 ESVProverbs 28:16 NASBProverbs 28:16 KJV
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