Proverbs 28:3 kjv
A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
Proverbs 28:3 nkjv
A poor man who oppresses the poor Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.
Proverbs 28:3 niv
A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.
Proverbs 28:3 esv
A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food.
Proverbs 28:3 nlt
A poor person who oppresses the poor
is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
Proverbs 28 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 19:10 | "And you shall not strip your vineyard bare... you shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner..." | Provision for the poor |
| Deut 15:7-11 | "...you shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor..." | Command to help the poor |
| Neh 5:1-5 | Describes the severe economic plight where some poorer Israelites oppressed others due to debts and taxes. | Israelites oppressing Israelites |
| Ps 10:9-10 | "He lies in wait like a lion in his lair; he lies in wait to seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net." | Wicked prey on the poor |
| Ps 107:34 | "a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it." | Wickedness causes barrenness |
| Prov 11:10-11 | "When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of gladness. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted..." | Contrast: Righteous vs. Wicked impact |
| Prov 14:21 | "Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor." | Condemns contempt for neighbor |
| Prov 14:31 | "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him." | Oppressing poor insults God |
| Prov 22:16 | "Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty." | Oppressing poor leads to ruin |
| Prov 22:22-23 | "Do not rob the poor, because he is poor... For the LORD will plead their cause and plunder of life those who plunder them." | God defends the poor |
| Prov 29:2 | "When the righteous triumph, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan." | Impact of unrighteous rule |
| Job 20:19 | "For he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he did not build." | Description of the wicked man |
| Job 20:20-21 | "Because he knew no contentment in his stomach, he will not retain anything he desires. Nothing was left for him to consume; therefore his prosperity will not endure." | Lack of satisfaction, unsustainable gain |
| Isa 3:15 | "What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor? declares the Lord GOD of hosts." | God's condemnation of oppressors |
| Isa 5:8-10 | "Woe to those who join house to house... till there is no place where you may dwell alone in the midst of the land." | Accumulation by dispossessing others |
| Jer 14:12 | "Though they fast, I will not hear their cry... and by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence I will consume them." | Divine judgment, famine |
| Ezek 13:13 | "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: I will make a stormy wind break out in my wrath, and there shall be a flooding rain in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to make a full end." | Destructive judgment like sweeping rain |
| Ezek 22:29 | "The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery; they have oppressed the poor and needy..." | General oppression of the vulnerable |
| Amos 2:7 | "They trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the humble..." | Ruthless exploitation of the poor |
| Zech 7:10 | "do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor..." | Command against specific oppressions |
| Matt 7:26-27 | "...like a foolish man who built his house on sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell..." | Destructive power of floods |
| Jas 2:6 | "But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you...?" | Oppression and dishonor of the poor |
Proverbs 28 verses
Proverbs 28 3 Meaning
Proverbs 28:3 likens a poor person who exploits or abuses other impoverished individuals to a sudden, overwhelming rainstorm that sweeps away everything, leaving no sustenance. It portrays an act of extreme heartlessness and injustice, leading to utter devastation and deepened destitution for those already struggling. This type of oppression, coming from one who should understand the plight of the poor, is depicted as uniquely destructive, producing barrenness and hunger where help and solidarity are most needed.
Proverbs 28 3 Context
Proverbs 28 falls within a larger section (chapters 25-29) introduced as "Other Proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah King of Judah copied out." This chapter largely contrasts the righteous and the wicked, exploring how their actions affect individuals and society, particularly regarding justice, poverty, governance, and divine favor. The preceding verses (Prov 28:1-2) deal with the fleeing of the wicked and the stability provided by understanding rulers, and the consequence of sin leading to many rulers. Proverbs 28:3 specifically targets an insidious form of injustice: exploitation within the lowest strata of society. It's an internal betrayal where compassion is most expected, but instead, total devastation is inflicted. The simile of the "sweeping rain" speaks directly to an agrarian society where rain is crucial, yet here it becomes an agent of destruction, mirroring how such a wicked poor man destroys any hope or remaining livelihood for those equally or more disadvantaged.
Proverbs 28 3 Word analysis
- A poor man (אִישׁ-רָשׁ
ish-rash):Ishmeans "man," andrashdenotes "poor," "destitute," "indigent." It highlights a person lacking material possessions, often at the lowest rung of society. The proverb emphasizes that even those who know poverty's hardship can succumb to wickedness. - who oppresses (וְעֹשֵׁק
ve'osheq): The rootashaq(עָשַׁק) means to "oppress," "extort," "defraud," "to act violently against." It implies gaining by force or unjustly taking from others. It's a severe term, suggesting an act of systematic exploitation rather than a single transgression. - the poor (דַּלִּים
dallim): This is the plural ofdal, meaning "weak," "feeble," "needy," "helpless." The use of the plural emphasizes the widespread impact of such oppression, or the repeated targeting of vulnerable individuals. The paradox is striking: the poor oppressing the poor. - is like (כְּ
k'in): This comparative particle introduces the vivid simile, underscoring the nature and consequence of the poor oppressing the poor. - a sweeping rain (גֶּשֶׁם סֹחֵף
geshem sohef):Geshemrefers to "rain," specifically a downpour.Sohef(from rootsachaphסָחַף) means to "sweep away," "carry off," "overwhelm," "destroy." It describes a torrential, destructive flood, not life-giving showers. This rain eradicates and washes away rather than nourishing the land.
- that leaves no food (וְאֵין לֶחֶם
ve'ein lechem):Ve'einmeans "and no" or "and there is no."Lechemmeans "bread" or generally "food," "sustenance."The destructive rain (oppression) results in absolute famine and destitution, symbolizing total ruin. The outcome is not just hardship, but a complete absence of means for survival.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "A poor man who oppresses the poor": This phrase highlights the profound ethical violation. It's an act of "internal oppression," where one from a vulnerable group exploits those even weaker, violating the implicit trust and shared hardship expected within that community. It defies empathy and solidarity.
- "is like a sweeping rain that leaves no food": This powerful simile conveys the severity and absolute destructiveness. Unlike beneficial rain that brings growth and food, this "sweeping rain" causes devastation, washing away any hope or existing means of survival. The consequence is utter barrenness and starvation, illustrating the comprehensive ruin brought by such exploitation.
Proverbs 28 3 Bonus section
This proverb speaks to the surprising and particularly vicious nature of injustice that arises from within, rather than externally. It reminds us that sin's corrupting power can reach every level of society, not just the wealthy or powerful. The imagery is not merely about physical famine but a complete spiritual and societal barrenness resulting from a lack of human kindness where it should most exist. The principle extends beyond monetary oppression to any situation where those who understand hardship prey upon others facing similar or greater challenges.
Proverbs 28 3 Commentary
Proverbs 28:3 presents a striking and somber warning against an especially reprehensible form of wickedness: when a person who is himself poor becomes an oppressor of others who share his impoverished state. This is more heinous than the rich exploiting the poor, as it suggests a profound lack of empathy, a self-serving cruelty, or a desperate act that utterly disregards the suffering of kin. The Bible often calls for compassion and care for the vulnerable, and for solidarity among the struggling. This proverb condemns the inverse, depicting it as a self-devouring evil.
The simile chosen—"a sweeping rain that leaves no food"—is profoundly effective for an agrarian society. Rain is usually a blessing, essential for crops and life. But a torrential downpour, especially out of season or in unstable conditions, can cause floods that destroy fields, houses, and ultimately, sources of food. This "sweeping rain" represents utter desolation; it doesn't just reduce, but eliminates. Just as such a flood devastates the land and brings famine, the poor oppressor completely erodes the minimal resources, dignity, and hope of those he exploits, plunging them into a state of complete want and despair where nothing is left. It portrays a cycle of suffering intensified by a complete breakdown of internal solidarity.