Proverbs 22:22-23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:22-23

After this solemn preface, one would have expected something new and surprising; but no; here is a plain and common, but very needful caution against the barbarous and inhuman practices of oppressing poor people. Observe, I. The sin itself, and that is robbing the poor and making them poorer, taking from those that have but little to lose and so leaving them nothing. It is bad to rob any man, but most absurd to rob the poor, whom we should relieve,?to squeeze those with our power whom we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:22

Rob not the poor, because he is poor ,.... And cannot help himself; cannot go to law with him that has injured him, and defend his own cause; which the other knowing, is the more emboldened to spoil and defraud him, which is an aggravation of his sin: or, "for he is poor" F7 כי דל חוא "nam tenuis est", so some in Mercerus. ; to rob any man is an evil and an injurious thing; but to rob the poor is cruel and barbarous; rather something should be given them, and not anything taken... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:23

For the Lord will plead their cause ,.... If counsellors at the bar will not, he will; if judges on the bench will not do them justice, he will; he will judge the poor of the people; he will plead their cause, and plead it thoroughly, till he has brought forth judgment unto victory: woe to the man against whom Jehovah pleads; happy the poor on whose side he is; for their Redeemer is mighty, the Lord of hosts is his name, Psalm 72:4 ; and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them ; they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 22:22

Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate - In judgment let the poor have a fair hearing; and let him not be borne down because he is poor. The reader has often seen that courts of justice were held at the gates of cities in the East. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 22:23

For the Lord will plead their cause - Wo therefore to them that oppress them, for they will have God, not the poor, to deal with. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:16-22

(See homily on Proverbs 22:28 .)—C. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:22

This and the following verse form a terrastich, which connects itself in thought with Proverbs 22:16 . Rob not the poor, because he is poor. The word for "poor" is here dal, 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. Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate. The gate is the place of judgment, the court of justice (comp. Job 31:21 ). The warning points to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:22-29

Right in social relations I. RELATIONS TO THE POOR . ( Proverbs 22:22 , Proverbs 22:23 .) 1 . Robbery and oppression are a breach of the positive external law ( Exodus 20:15 ), much more of the inward and eternal law written in the heart, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." 2 . The perversion of law and magisterial authority to this end is an aggravation of the offence. It makes the refuge of the poor the market for bribery. 3 . Above all, such oppression... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:23

For, though they are powerless to defend themselves, and have no earthly patrons, the Lord will plead their cause ( Proverbs 23:11 ). Jehovah will be their Advocate and Protector. And spoil the soul of those that spoiled them; rather, despoil of life those that despoil them. So the Revised Version. God, exercising his moral government on human concerns, will bring ruin and death on the unjust judge or the rich oppressor of the poor. Jerome has, Configet eos qui confixerunt animam... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 22:22-23

Proverbs 22:22-23. Rob not the poor, &c. Thus, after the preceding solemn preface, among the principal rules of life which he was about to lay down, he first commends this, not to be injurious to poor people; especially by oppressing them in a form of justice: as if he had said, Never abuse thy power to the spoiling of him who is in a mean condition; because he is poor And unable to resist thee, or to revenge himself upon thee. Do not take advantage of his poverty. Or, this clause may... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:22-23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 22:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 22:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:16-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:22-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:23

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 22:22-23

Group of Brands