Proverbs 28:22

Authorized King James Version

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He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Original Language Analysis

נִֽבֳהָ֥ל that hasteth H926
נִֽבֳהָ֥ל that hasteth
Strong's: H926
Word #: 1 of 10
to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously
לַה֗וֹן to be rich H1952
לַה֗וֹן to be rich
Strong's: H1952
Word #: 2 of 10
wealth; by implication, enough
אִ֭ישׁ He H376
אִ֭ישׁ He
Strong's: H376
Word #: 3 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
רַ֣ע hath an evil H7451
רַ֣ע hath an evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 4 of 10
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
עָ֑יִן eye H5869
עָ֑יִן eye
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 5 of 10
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵ֝דַע and considereth H3045
יֵ֝דַע and considereth
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 7 of 10
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חֶ֥סֶר not that poverty H2639
חֶ֥סֶר not that poverty
Strong's: H2639
Word #: 9 of 10
lack; hence, destitution
יְבֹאֶֽנּוּ׃ shall come H935
יְבֹאֶֽנּוּ׃ shall come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 10 of 10
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Analysis & Commentary

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye (נִבְהָל לְהוֹן אִישׁ עַיִן רָע, nivhal lehon ish ayin ra)—נִבְהָל (nivhal, 'hastening, hurrying') toward הוֹן (hon, 'wealth, riches') reveals עַיִן רָע (ayin ra, 'evil eye'), a Hebrew idiom for stinginess, envy, and greed. Jesus warns against this 'evil eye' (Matthew 6:22-23, 20:15). The greedy person's vision is distorted—seeing others as competition, God's gifts as insufficient.

And considereth not that poverty shall come upon him (וְלֹא־יֵדַע כִּי־חֶסֶר יְבֹאֶנּוּ, velo-yeda ki-cheser yevo'ennu)—יָדַע (yada, 'to know, understand') is negated: he does not know that חֶסֶר (cheser, 'want, lack, poverty') approaches. Proverbs repeatedly warns that greed leads to poverty (Proverbs 11:24, 13:11). 'He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver' (Ecclesiastes 5:10); the insatiable appetite for more guarantees eventual loss.

Historical Context

First-century Palestine saw dramatic wealth disparities, with wealthy landowners exploiting peasant farmers. Jesus's parables frequently address greed (Luke 12:13-21, the rich fool; Luke 16:19-31, the rich man and Lazarus). Paul commands contentment: 'Having food and raiment let us be therewith content' (1 Timothy 6:8).

Questions for Reflection