Proverbs 29:13 - Exposition

A variation of Proverbs 22:2 . The deceitful man. This makes no contrast with the poor. "The man of oppressions" ( tekakim ) is the usurer, from whom the poor suffer most wrong and cruelty. The needy man and the rich lender are thrown together in social life. St. Jerome calls them pauper et creditor . Septuagint, "When the creditor and debtor meet together, the Lord maketh inspection ( ἐπσκοπὴν ) of both." The Lord lighteneth both their eyes. Both rich and poor, the oppressor and the oppressed, owe their light and life to God; he makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good; he sends rain on the just and the unjust; he is the Father, Ruler, and Judge of all. Here is comfort for the poor, that he has a tender Father who watches over him; here is a warning for the rich, that he will have to give an account of his stewardship. The former proverb spoke only generally of God being the Maker of both (comp. Psalms 13:1-6 :8; Ecclesiastes 11:7 ).