Proverbs Chapter 28 verse 16 Holy Bible

ASV Proverbs 28:16

The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; `But' he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
read chapter 28 in ASV

BBE Proverbs 28:16

The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.
read chapter 28 in BBE

DARBY Proverbs 28:16

The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong [his] days.
read chapter 28 in DARBY

KJV Proverbs 28:16

The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
read chapter 28 in KJV

WBT Proverbs 28:16


read chapter 28 in WBT

WEB Proverbs 28:16

A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
read chapter 28 in WEB

YLT Proverbs 28:16

A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.
read chapter 28 in YLT

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 16. - The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor; literally, and rich in oppression. Ewald, Delitzsch, Nowack, and others take the verse, not as a statement, but as a warning addressed to the ruler, as we have so many addressed to a son, and as the author of the Book of Wisdom calls upon the judges of the earth to listen to his admonitions. They therefore render thus: "O prince, void of understanding, but rich in oppression!" The wording and accentuation of the passage confirm this view. Caher renders, "A prince that wants understanding increases his exactions." The want of intelligence makes a prince cruel and tyrannical and callous to suffering: not possessing the wisdom and prudence necessary for right government, he defrauds his subjects, treats them unjustly, and causes great misery. See the prophet's denunciation of Shallum and Jehoiakim for these very crimes (Jeremiah 22:13-19). Septuagint, "A king wanting revenues is a great oppresser (συκοφάντης)." He that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days (Proverbs 15:27). The prince addressed is thus warned that his oppressive acts will be visited upon him judicially; that only a ruler who deals with his subjects liberally and equitably can attain to old age, and that his conduct will shorten his life. An early death is reckoned as a token of God's indignation. The second hemistich Caher translates, "But he who hates lucre shall reign long." Septuagint, "He who hateth iniquity shall live a long time." (For "covetousness" (betsa), see on Proverbs 1:19.)

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) A prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor.--Thereby losing the love of his people, and at the same time impoverishing them; thus killing the goose that laid the golden eggs. He also by his misdeeds draws down upon himself God's anger in the shape of an early death. Comp. the woe pronounced upon Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 22:13, sqq.).