Proverbs 28 · Verse 8

Proverbs 28:8

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Proverbs 28:8, King James Version

Proverbs 28:8 in other translations

BSBHe who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
WEBHe who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
ASVHe that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.
YLTWhoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.
DARBYHe that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.
BBEHe who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.
WebsterHe that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

What does Proverbs 28:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. usury ... unjust gain--(Compare Margin). The two terms, meaning nearly the same, may denote excessive interest. God's providence directs the proper use of wealth.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 He that by usury - increaseth his substance - By taking unlawful interest for his money; lending to a man in great distress, money, for the use of which he requires an exorbitant sum. O that the names of all those unfeeling, hard-hearted, consummate villains in the nation, who thus take advantage of their neighbour's necessities to enrich themselves, were published at every market cross; and then the delinquents all sent to their brother savages in New Zealand. It would be a happy riddance to the country.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
That which is ill got, though it may increase much, will not last long. Thus the poor are repaid, and God is glorified.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 28:8 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מַרְבֶּ֣הmar.Beh[one who] increasesH7235
ה֭וֹנוֹho.nowealth hisH1952
בְּנֶ֣שֶׁךְbe.Ne.shekhby interestH5392
וְתַרְבִּ֑יתu.ve.tar.bitand usuryH8636
לְחוֹנֵ֖ןle.cho.Nenfor [one who] shows favor toH2603
דַּלִּ֣יםda.Limpoor [people]H1800
יִקְבְּצֶֽנּוּ\׃yik.be.Tze.nuhe gathers itH6908

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 28:8

  • Job 27:16-17

    Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

  • Proverbs 13:22

    A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:26

    For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Exodus 22:25

    If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.

  • Leviticus 25:36

    Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.

  • Ezekiel 18:17

    That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

  • Ezekiel 18:13

    Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

  • Proverbs 14:31

    He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

  • Ezekiel 18:8

    He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,

  • Proverbs 19:7

    All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

  • 2 Samuel 12:6

    And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that by.
13:22; Job 27:16,17; Ec 2:26
unjust gain. Heb. by increase.
Le 25:36; Eze 18:8,13,17
pity.
19:7; 2Sa 12:6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 28:7

    Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

  • Proverbs 28:8

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

  • Proverbs 28:9

    He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Read all of Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que aumenta sus riquezas con usura y crecido interés, para que se dé á los pobres lo allega.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Celui qui augmente son bien par l’intérêt et l’usure, l’amasse pour celui qui est bon pour les misérables.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer sein Vermögen durch Zins und durch Wucher mehrt, sammelt es für den, der sich der Armen erbarmt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui coacervat divitias usuris et fœnore, liberali in pauperes congregat eas.