Proverbs 28:21

Authorized King James Version

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To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

Original Language Analysis

הַֽכֵּר To have respect H5234
הַֽכֵּר To have respect
Strong's: H5234
Word #: 1 of 9
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
פָּנִ֥ים of persons H6440
פָּנִ֥ים of persons
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 2 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 9
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ט֑וֹב is not good H2896
ט֑וֹב is not good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 4 of 9
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פַּת for for a piece H6595
פַּת for for a piece
Strong's: H6595
Word #: 6 of 9
a bit
לֶ֝֗חֶם of bread H3899
לֶ֝֗חֶם of bread
Strong's: H3899
Word #: 7 of 9
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
יִפְשַׁע will transgress H6586
יִפְשַׁע will transgress
Strong's: H6586
Word #: 8 of 9
to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel
גָּֽבֶר׃ that man H1397
גָּֽבֶר׃ that man
Strong's: H1397
Word #: 9 of 9
properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply

Analysis & Commentary

To have respect of persons is not good (הַכֵּר־פָּנִים לֹא־טוֹב, hakker-panim lo-tov)—נָכַר פָּנִים (nakar panim, 'to recognize faces, show partiality') is לֹא־טוֹב (lo-tov, 'not good'). This Hebrew idiom for favoritism appears throughout Scripture (Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 16:19). James 2:1-9 condemns partiality in the church; God Himself 'regardeth not persons' (Deuteronomy 10:17).

For for a piece of bread that man will transgress (וְעַל־פַּת־לֶחֶם יִפְשַׁע־גָבֶר, ve'al-pat-lechem yifsha-gaver)—the second line reveals the danger: for a mere פַּת לֶחֶם (pat lechem, 'piece of bread, morsel'), a man will פָּשַׁע (pasha, 'transgress, rebel, sin'). Once favoritism becomes habitual, judges and leaders can be bought for nothing. Corruption begins with small compromises; soon, justice is sold for trifles. Micah 7:3 laments: 'The prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward.'

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern legal systems struggled with judicial corruption—the powerful bribing judges to oppress the poor. Israel's law prohibited taking bribes (Exodus 23:8), yet the prophets constantly condemned corrupt judges (Isaiah 1:23, 5:23, Amos 5:12). This proverb exposes how small compromises lead to total corruption.

Questions for Reflection