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Selected Verse: Proverbs 14:21 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Pr 14:21 |
King James |
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
For such contempt of the poor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of the good. |
Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
21 Whoever despiseth his neighbour committeth sin;
But whoever hath compassion on the suffering - blessings on him!
One should regard every human being, especially such as God has placed near to him, as a being having the same origin, as created in the image of God, and of the same lofty destination, and should consider himself as under obligation to love him. He who despiseth his neighbour (write בּז with Metheg, and vid., regarding the constr. with dat. object. Pro 6:30, cf. Pro 11:12; Pro 13:13) sins in this respect, that he raises himself proudly and unwarrantably above him; that the honour and love he shows to him he measures not by the rule of duty and of necessity, but according to that which is pleasing to himself; and in that he refuses to him that which according to the ordinance of God he owes him. In Pro 14:21 the Chethı̂b עניּים and the Kerı̂ ענוים (vid., at Psa 9:13) interchange in an inexplicable way; עני is the bowed down (cf. Arab. ma'nuww, particularly of the prisoner, from 'ana, fut. ya'nw, to bow, bend), ענו (Arab. 'anin, with the art. âl'niy, from the intrans. 'aniya, to be bowed down) the patient bearer who in the school of suffering has learned humility and meekness. One does not see why the Kerı̂ here exchanges that passive idea for this ethical one, especially since, in proving himself to be מחונן (compassionate) (for which elsewhere the part. Kal חונן, Pro 14:31; Pro 19:17; Pro 28:8), one must be determined only by the needy condition of his neighbour, and not by his (the neighbour's) moral worthiness, the want of which ought to make him twofold more an object of our compassion. All the old translators, from the lxx to the Venet. and Luther, on this account adopt the Chethı̂b. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Despiseth - That does not pity and relieve the poor. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth - To despise a man because he has some natural blemish is unjust, cruel, and wicked. He is not the author of his own imperfections; they did not occur through his fault or folly; and if he could, he would not retain them. It is, therefore, unjust and wicked to despise him for what is not his fault, but his misfortune.
But he that hath mercy on the poor - Who reproaches no man for his poverty or scanty intellect, but divides his bread with the hungry - happy is he; the blessing of God, and of them that were ready to perish, shall come upon him. |
8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;