Proverbs 28:27
in Proverbs 28Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
KJV
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
⋯
This verse in Proverbs 28
Commentary
8 notes on this verseWhenever you gather the harvest or vintage, calculate your expenses and those of all who pertain to you and include what you will put into your purse. Then, of what remains, because it was not really given to you, as was already said, but was …
This site's exposition
He who rebukes a man
on Proverbs 28:23-28
The chapter's close ranks honest rebuke above flattery. Trusting the LORD is set against trusting oneself, and giving to the poor against hiding one's eyes. Verse 28 answers verse 12 as a frame, for when the wicked perish, "the righteous flourish."
This site's exposition
Whoever gives to the poor
Caesarius of Arles tells the farmer at harvest to reckon his household's needs first. What remains, he says, was never truly given to him. The one who hides his eyes from the poor draws many curses.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
Don't forget that rule, where it says, "Whoever gives to the poor will never be in want." Have you already forgotten what the Lord is going to say to those who have given to the poor: "Come, blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom"?
The cry of the hungry person is a challenge in your ears, and the sound of a failing voice from a hungry throat is striking at your door. Why do you not think of that phrase, "Blessed is he that understands concerning the needy and …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack,.... That gives alms unto them, relieves them in their distress, supplies them with money, food, or clothes, and does it cheerfully, largely, and liberally, as the case requires; such an one shall not want any good thing; he shall not be the poorer for what he gives; he shall not miss it, nor his substance be diminished; he shall not come to poverty and want, yea, he shall be enriched, and his substance increased, for more is intended than is expressed.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
Be that giveth unto the poor - See the notes on Deu 15:7 (note), Detueronomy Deu 19:17 (note), Deu 22:9 (note).
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Hideth his eyes - i. e., Turns away from, disregards, the poor. Compare Isa 1:15.
The words behind it
8 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| נוֹתֵ֣ן | noten | [one who] gives | H5414 → | 2011 times |
| לָ֭רָשׁ | larosh | to the poor | H7326 → | 24 times |
| אֵ֣ין | ʾein | there not | H369 → | 789 times |
| מַחְס֑וֹר | machsor | [is] lack | H4270 → | 13 times |
| וּמַעְלִ֥ים | uma'lim | and [one who] hides | H5956 → | |
| עֵ֝ינָ֗יו | ʾeinav | eyes his | H5869 → | 887 times |
| רַב־ | rav- | great of | H7227 → | 454 times |
| מְאֵרֽוֹת׃ | meerot | curses | H3994 → |
נוֹתֵ֣ן[one who] gives
notenH5414 →2011 times
לָ֭רָשׁto the poor
laroshH7326 →24 times
אֵ֣יןthere not
ʾeinH369 →789 times
מַחְס֑וֹר[is] lack
machsorH4270 →13 times
וּמַעְלִ֥יםand [one who] hides
uma'limH5956 →
עֵ֝ינָ֗יוeyes his
ʾeinavH5869 →887 times
רַב־great of
rav-H7227 →454 times
מְאֵרֽוֹת׃curses
meerotH3994 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Proverbs 19:17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
it leads to
- Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured…
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6–8
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
- Matthew 25:40
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
- Ecclesiastes 11:1
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
- Luke 6:38
Through
Proverbs 11:24One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
it leads to
- Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
- Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything…
- Psalms 112:9
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
- Proverbs 19:17
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies5
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, SERMON 198:3; Caesarius of Arles, SERMON 30:6; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Valerian of Cimiez, HOMILY 9:2.