Proverbs 28 21

Proverbs 28:21 kjv

To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

Proverbs 28:21 nkjv

To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

Proverbs 28:21 niv

To show partiality is not good? yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.

Proverbs 28:21 esv

To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.

Proverbs 28:21 nlt

Showing partiality is never good,
yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread.

Proverbs 28 verses

Proverbs 28 21 Meaning

Proverbs 28:21 declares that showing favoritism is inherently wrong, yet startlingly illustrates humanity's vulnerability to compromise, suggesting that individuals will transgress moral boundaries or betray principles even for trivial gains. It exposes two forms of ethical decay: a biased approach to justice or interaction, and a willingness to commit sin for an exceedingly small material reward. The verse underscores the pervasive nature of corruption and moral weakness that can lead one to abandon righteousness for insignificant personal benefit.

Proverbs 28 21 Context

Proverbs 28 is a chapter filled with various moral and ethical observations, contrasting the righteous and the wicked, and discussing wisdom related to governance, justice, integrity, and diligence. Verses often stand alone as aphorisms but collectively address how one lives a life pleasing to God and beneficial to society. This specific verse, Pro 28:21, sits within a section warning against unjust practices and emphasizing the value of righteousness. The broader chapter context frequently addresses leaders, judges, and anyone in a position of influence, emphasizing the critical importance of integrity in the administration of justice and daily interactions. Historically, in ancient Israel and the broader Ancient Near East, judges often served within local communities, making impartiality (or the lack thereof) highly visible and impactful. "Bread" (Hebrew: leḥem) was the most basic sustenance, often representing even a small, meager amount. Therefore, betraying justice for "a piece of bread" highlights extreme corruption, indicating that even the most insignificant reward can sway a person to act unrighteously.

Proverbs 28 21 Word analysis

• (ul) To show partiality: From the Hebrew הַכֵּר־פָּנִים (hakkehr-pāniym), literally "to recognize faces" or "to lift up faces."

  • Significance: This idiom refers to making judgments or decisions based on who a person is (their social status, wealth, relationship to the judge) rather than the merits of the case or universal justice. It means to be biased, unfair, or discriminatory. In a judicial or relational context, it violates equity and righteousness, often to the detriment of the vulnerable.

• (ul) is not good: לֹא־טוֹב (lōʾ-ṭōwḇ).

  • Significance: A straightforward and strong declaration that partiality is morally deficient and undesirable in God's sight. It is fundamentally contrary to wisdom and divine order.

• (ul) but for a piece of bread: וְעַל־פַּת־לֶחֶם (wəʿal-pat-leḥem).

  • Piece (פַּת, pat): A crumb, morsel, or fragment.
  • Bread (לֶחֶם, leḥem): Staple food, symbolizing basic sustenance.
  • Significance: This is a hyperbolic idiom to emphasize an exceedingly small or insignificant bribe or gain. It suggests a shockingly low price at which some individuals are willing to compromise their integrity. It contrasts the clear wrong of partiality with the seemingly trivial nature of the motive for further transgression.

• (ul) a man will transgress: יִפְשַׁע (yip̄šaʿ), from the verb פָּשַׁע (pashaʿ).

  • Significance: Meaning to rebel, revolt, transgress, or sin. It implies an act of rebellion against what is right, a moral or legal boundary, or even against God's law. The inclusion of "a man" (אָדָם, 'ādām, referring generally to humanity) points to a universal human failing rather than just isolated incidents.

• (ul) Words-group analysis:

  • "To show partiality is not good": This phrase sets a clear standard for righteousness in judgment and human interaction. It establishes an absolute moral principle foundational to justice, fairness, and God's own character. It’s an ethical baseline.
  • "but for a piece of bread a man will transgress": This shocking contrast highlights the depth of human moral weakness. The conjunction "but" (וְעַל, wəʿal) introduces an alarming reality that contrasts sharply with the expectation of righteousness. It reveals how readily integrity is abandoned for the most minimal personal advantage, connecting a foundational moral failing (partiality) with the corruptible nature of the human heart, capable of further transgression even for insignificant rewards.

Proverbs 28 21 Bonus section

The seemingly disjointed nature of the two clauses in Proverbs 28:21 (partiality vs. transgressing for a small gain) serves to underscore a common theme in wisdom literature: the deep-seated corruptibility of the human heart. It suggests that a disposition towards unfairness (partiality) is often intrinsically linked to a willingness to betray larger moral codes for even tiny, base advantages. It's not just about grand corruption, but about the insidiousness of small compromises that reveal a character fundamentally lacking in a love for righteousness. The "piece of bread" emphasizes that it's not the magnitude of the temptation that defines the sin, but the readiness to yield to any temptation, however small. This also indirectly points to a spiritual blindness where eternal principles are valued less than fleeting, meager earthly gains. It's a lamentable observation on human frailty and the necessity of cultivating an unwavering integrity that cannot be swayed, whether by significant bribes or mere crumbs.

Proverbs 28 21 Commentary

Proverbs 28:21 delivers a profound truth about human nature and the pervasive presence of corruption. It begins with an unequivocal condemnation of partiality, stating clearly that such bias "is not good." This aligns with God's own character of impartiality and His repeated commands for justice within His people (e.g., in judging between rich and poor, native and sojourner). Impartiality is a bedrock principle for any just society, and its absence fundamentally distorts righteousness.

The verse then makes an abrupt and striking turn, presenting a seemingly disconnected, yet deeply interconnected, truth: "but for a piece of bread a man will transgress." The "but" acts as a stark revelation. It is one thing to acknowledge partiality as wrong, but it is another to realize the astonishingly low price at which an individual might compromise moral boundaries and commit outright sin. "A piece of bread" serves as a metaphor for the smallest, most insignificant gain, a paltry bribe, or a minimal self-interest. This idiom unveils the cheapness of integrity for those lacking a fear of God. It points not just to outward acts of bribery but to the inward moral decay that makes one susceptible to such petty temptations. The point is not the quantity of the bribe, but the sheer fact that principle is abandoned for anything other than absolute rightness. The transgression for so little gain reveals a profound moral sickness, illustrating that the heart already susceptible to partiality can easily stoop to even greater depths of sin when even a tiny, selfish incentive is offered.

Examples of this principle in practical life include:

• A judge giving a lighter sentence to a friend for a small favor.
• An employee overlooking a minor policy violation for a free meal.
• A student cheating on a small test question to improve a minor grade.
• A merchant altering scales slightly for minimal extra profit.The verse warns against both overt bias and the subtle, internal disposition to sacrifice righteousness for trifling self-advantage, demonstrating the fragility of human integrity without divine guidance.