The big picture
Proverbs 28 opens in verse 1 with “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 14 with “Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into…”, and closes in verse 28 with “When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.” Repeated or prominent terms include poor, Whoso, wicked, rich, righteous. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Proverbs · King James Version · 28Proverbs 28:1-7
1–7: The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a…
Proverbs 28:1–7 opens with “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” and reaches “Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 28 develops its own movement around poor, Whoso, wicked, rich, righteous, with particular weight carried by poor, understand, wicked.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bold, flee, lion. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 28:1-7
King James Version1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
Proverbs 28:8-14
8–14: He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall…
Proverbs 28:8–14 opens with “He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will…” and reaches “Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 28 develops its own movement around poor, Whoso, wicked, rich, righteous, with particular weight carried by fall, poor, righteous.
Context that brings the passage to life
“He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Proverbs 28:8-14
King James Version8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 28:15-21
15–21: As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the…
Proverbs 28:15–21 opens with “As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.” and reaches “To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 28 develops its own movement around poor, Whoso, wicked, rich, righteous, with particular weight carried by bread, persons, abound.
Context that brings the passage to life
“As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.” The line’s distinctive content terms include bear, lion, people. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.
Proverbs 28:15-21
King James Version15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
Proverbs 28:22-28
22–28: He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that…
Proverbs 28:22–28 opens with “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon…” and reaches “When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Proverbs 28 develops its own movement around poor, Whoso, wicked, rich, righteous, with particular weight carried by heart, whoso, companion.
Context that brings the passage to life
“He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Proverbs 28:22-28
King James Version22He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Proverbs 28:1 begins with “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Where the chapter turns
Proverbs 28:14 forms a natural hinge: “Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.”
The final note
Proverbs 28:28 leaves the reader with “When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words poor, Whoso, wicked, rich, righteous, evil help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Which promise most directly answers Jacob's situation?
God will be with him, keep him and bring him back to the land in verse 15.
How does the place change for Jacob?
An ordinary stopping place becomes recognized as the setting of divine encounter.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.