Proverbs 28:15
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
Original Language Analysis
שׁוֹקֵ֑ק
and a ranging
H8264
שׁוֹקֵ֑ק
and a ranging
Strong's:
H8264
Word #:
4 of 9
to course (like a beast of prey); by implication, to seek greedily
רָ֝שָׁ֗ע
so is a wicked
H7563
רָ֝שָׁ֗ע
so is a wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
6 of 9
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
עַ֣ל
H5921
עַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Matthew 2:16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.Proverbs 20:2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.Proverbs 19:12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings frequently portrayed themselves as lions—symbols of power. But Proverbs subverts this: the wicked ruler is not majestic but predatory, terrorizing the vulnerable. Israel experienced such rulers (1 Kings 12:1-19, Rehoboam's oppression), and the prophets thundered against those who devoured God's people (Ezekiel 22:25-29).
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christians respond to governing authorities who act as 'roaring lions' toward the vulnerable?
- Where do you see exploitation of the weak—and what is your responsibility to intervene?
- If you hold authority over others, how can you ensure you're shepherding rather than predating?
Analysis & Commentary
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear (אֲרִי־נֹהֵם וְדֹב שׁוֹקֵק, ari-nohem vedov shoqeq)—אֲרִי (ari, 'lion') that נָהַם (naham, 'roars, growls') and דֹּב (dov, 'bear') that שָׁקַק (shaqaq, 'ranges, rushes, seeks prey') are apex predators, feared throughout Scripture. The roaring lion signals the kill (Psalm 22:13); the charging bear, proverbial ferocity (2 Samuel 17:8; Hosea 13:8).
So is a wicked ruler over the poor people (מֹשֵׁל רָשָׁע עַל עַם־דָּל, moshel rasha al am-dal)—the רָשָׁע (rasha, 'wicked, guilty, criminal') מֹשֵׁל (moshel, 'ruler, governor') preys upon עַם־דָּל (am-dal, 'poor people, weak folk'). This isn't governance but predation. Scripture consistently champions justice for the poor (Psalm 82:3-4); tyrants who exploit the vulnerable face divine judgment (Ezekiel 34:1-10). Rome's tyranny exemplified this in Jesus's era; Revelation depicts imperial power as a beast (Revelation 13).