Proverbs 28:8 kjv

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

Proverbs 28:8 nkjv

One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

Proverbs 28:8 niv

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

Proverbs 28:8 esv

Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.

Proverbs 28:8 nlt

Income from charging high interest rates
will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

Proverbs 28 verses

Proverbs 28 8 Meaning

Proverbs 28:8 communicates that wealth acquired through unrighteous means, specifically excessive interest (usury) or exploitative profit, will not remain with the accumulator but will ultimately be amassed for someone else. This recipient will be a person who actively shows compassion and generosity toward the poor. The verse highlights God's justice in reversing ill-gotten gains, ensuring such wealth benefits those aligned with His care for the vulnerable.

Proverbs 28 8 Context

Proverbs chapter 28 frequently contrasts the actions and outcomes of the righteous versus the wicked. Themes explored include justice, integrity, leadership, poverty, and the consequences of sin and obedience. Verse 8 specifically targets economic injustice, connecting it to the broader moral framework of divine law and ultimate retribution. In the ancient Israelite context, Mosaic law strongly regulated lending, explicitly prohibiting charging interest (Hebrew: neshekh or tarbit) on loans made to fellow Israelites, especially those in need (Ex 22:25; Lev 25:36-37; Deut 23:19-20). This was distinct from general commercial practices and was rooted in the covenantal community's responsibility to care for its vulnerable members. Exploiting the poor through usury was considered a serious offense, demonstrating a lack of faith in God's provision and disregard for His humanitarian commands. This verse underscores the Lord's active role in judging and reversing such unjust gains.

Proverbs 28 8 Word analysis

• "He who increases": (Hebrew: marbèh - מַרְבֶּה) - A participle signifying continuous action, "one who keeps on increasing" or "one who habitually multiplies." It denotes a systematic, deliberate effort to accumulate wealth, not merely a single instance.

• "his possessions": Refers to his personal wealth, assets, or material riches. The issue is not the possession of wealth itself, but the unjust method of its acquisition.

• "by usury": (Hebrew: beneshekh - בְּנֶשֶׁךְ) - Derived from nashak (נשך), meaning "to bite." This term refers to interest, specifically the "bite" or pain inflicted on a debtor by an increase on the principal amount of a money loan. Mosaic law strictly prohibited charging neshekh to a fellow Israelite, seeing it as exploitative.

• "and extortion": (Hebrew: betarbit - בְּתַרְבִּית) - Derived from rābāh (רָבָה), meaning "increase." This refers to illicit profit or excessive gain from lending goods or provisions, or generally any unjust "increase" taken from the needy beyond what is equitable or legal. While neshekh relates to money, tarbit could relate to interest on food, supplies, or any exorbitant increase on what is lent. It broadens the scope of prohibited exploitation beyond just monetary interest.

• "Gathers it": (Hebrew: chaser - חָשַׂךְ) - Means to withhold, to keep back, to store up, or to accumulate. It conveys the image of hoarding or amassing wealth for oneself, highlighting the personal effort and intention of the exploiter.

• "for him who will pity the poor": (Hebrew: laḥŏsēkh ʻal dallim - חָשַׂךְ עַל דַּלִּים) - More literally, "for one who spares/withholds on behalf of the poor" or "for one gracious to the poor." This "him" signifies a righteous individual, characterized by compassion and generosity toward the needy, who embodies God's own heart for justice and mercy. The implication is that God will orchestrate the transfer of ill-gotten wealth to such a person.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "He who increases his possessions by usury and extortion": This phrase meticulously details the unethical financial practices. It portrays a deliberate, systemic pattern of unjust enrichment that directly violates God's established social and economic codes concerning care for the vulnerable members of the community.
  • "Gathers it for him": This emphasizes the irony and futility of the wicked person's accumulation. Their efforts to consolidate wealth for themselves ultimately result in it being stored not for their benefit, but for someone else chosen by divine decree.
  • "who will pity the poor": This clause highlights the stark contrast between the exploiter and the ultimate beneficiary. The one who receives the transferred wealth is defined by a Christ-like attribute of compassion and active concern for the disadvantaged, thereby validating the moral basis for God's reversal.

Proverbs 28 8 Bonus section

• This proverb embodies the broader biblical principle that the "wicked toil to accumulate wealth, only for it to be given to the righteous" (cf. Eccl 2:26). It’s a recurring theme demonstrating God’s just governance.
• The Mosaic law concerning usury (forbidden among Israelites, permitted with foreigners) was revolutionary for its time, creating a unique social welfare system and fostering community solidarity based on compassion rather than pure market economics.
• The "transfer" of wealth spoken of in the proverb is not always a direct, immediate financial transaction. It can occur through various means such as divine intervention, legal judgments, the deterioration of the oppressor's family line, economic downturns, or even the eventual allocation of wealth (e.g., through charitable bequests under divine influence).
• The verse offers immense encouragement and hope to the poor and exploited, reaffirming God's character as a protector of the vulnerable and a punisher of injustice, regardless of how prosperous the oppressor might appear in the short term.
• This timeless wisdom encourages ethical financial practices and personal integrity, reminding believers to align their economic activities with God's compassionate heart for the poor and vulnerable.

Proverbs 28 8 Commentary

Proverbs 28:8 is a profound statement on divine retribution within the sphere of economic justice. It declares that wealth acquired through usury or any form of extortion, which exploits the vulnerable, is fundamentally unstable. The verse reveals that the Lord, as the ultimate sovereign over wealth and justice, will not allow ill-gotten gains to prosper long-term in the hands of the oppressor. Instead, He ensures that such riches, amassed in greed and cruelty, are ultimately designated for and transferred to individuals who demonstrate genuine compassion for the poor. This underscores God's deep concern for the economically disadvantaged and His active involvement in reversing injustice. The principle serves as a severe warning against exploitative financial practices and an assurance to the oppressed that God upholds righteousness and will ultimately right all wrongs, even if not immediately visible.

Practical usage examples:

• A business built on deceptive practices or unfair labor wages might accumulate immense wealth, but the proverb suggests this wealth is vulnerable to being squandered, lost, or eventually transferred to entities that operate with ethical values.
• An individual who habitually defrauds others to enrich themselves may find that their children or beneficiaries squander their inheritance, or it might be directed by unforeseen circumstances (e.g., severe illness, legal woes) to fund care provided by charitable organizations.
• Nations that build their prosperity on colonial exploitation or internal oppression may eventually see their accumulated resources redistribute due to conflict, economic collapse, or the rise of new, more equitable powers.