Proverbs 22:7
Proverbs 22:7 in Multiple Translations
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender.
The man of wealth has rule over the poor, and he who gets into debt is a servant to his creditor.
The rich rule the poor, and borrowers are slaves to their lenders.
The rich ruleth the poore, and the borower is seruant to the man that lendeth.
The rich over the poor ruleth, And a servant [is] the borrower to the lender.
The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.
Rich people rule over poor people harshly, and those who borrow money become like slaves [MET] of the people who lend money to them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 22:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 22:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עָ֭שִׁיר
בְּ/רָשִׁ֣ים
יִמְשׁ֑וֹל
וְ/עֶ֥בֶד
לֹ֝וֶ֗ה
לְ/אִ֣ישׁ
מַלְוֶֽה
עָ֭שִׁיר
ʻâshîyr
H6223
rich
Adj
בְּ/רָשִׁ֣ים
rûwsh
H7326
be poor
Prep | V-Qal
יִמְשׁ֑וֹל
mâshal
H4910
to rule
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/עֶ֥בֶד
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
Conj | N-ms
לֹ֝וֶ֗ה
lâvâh
H3867
to join
V-Qal
לְ/אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
Prep | N-ms
מַלְוֶֽה
lâvâh
H3867
to join
V-Hiphil
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 22:7
עָ֭שִׁיר
ʻâshîyr
H6223
"rich"
Adj
In the Bible, the Hebrew word for 'rich' describes someone with wealth or noble status. It is used to describe people who are wealthy, like the rich man in certain parables. The word is often translated as 'rich' in English Bibles.
Definition: adj 1) rich, wealthy n 2) the rich, the wealthy, rich man
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: rich (man). See also: Exodus 30:15; Proverbs 18:23; Psalms 45:13.
בְּ/רָשִׁ֣ים
rûwsh
H7326
"be poor"
Prep | V-Qal
To be poor or destitute, often used to describe someone who lacks material possessions or is in need, as seen in the story of the poor widow in Mark 12:42. This verb can also be used to describe someone who is spiritually poor or lacking.
Definition: 1) to be poor, be in want, lack 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be poor 1a2) to be in want or hunger 1a3) poor man (subst) 1b)(Hithpolel) one impoverishing himself (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: lack, needy, (make self) poor (man). See also: 1 Samuel 18:23; Proverbs 18:23; Psalms 34:11.
יִמְשׁ֑וֹל
mâshal
H4910
"to rule"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To rule means to have power over something or someone, like a king ruling his kingdom, as seen in 1 Samuel. It involves having control and making decisions, like a leader guiding their people. In the Bible, God rules over all things.
Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, reign 1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to rule 1b2) to exercise dominion
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power. See also: Genesis 1:18; Proverbs 16:32; Psalms 8:7.
וְ/עֶ֥בֶד
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
לֹ֝וֶ֗ה
lâvâh
H3867
"to join"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to borrow or lend, implying a sense of obligation, as seen in various Bible translations, including abide with or join self.
Definition: 1) to join, be joined 1a) (Qal) to join, be joined, attend 1b) (Niphal) to join oneself to, be joined unto
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: abide with, borrow(-er), cleave, join (self), lend(-er). See also: Genesis 29:34; Psalms 112:5; Psalms 37:21.
לְ/אִ֣ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
מַלְוֶֽה
lâvâh
H3867
"to join"
V-Hiphil
This Hebrew word means to borrow or lend, implying a sense of obligation, as seen in various Bible translations, including abide with or join self.
Definition: 1) to join, be joined 1a) (Qal) to join, be joined, attend 1b) (Niphal) to join oneself to, be joined unto
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: abide with, borrow(-er), cleave, join (self), lend(-er). See also: Genesis 29:34; Psalms 112:5; Psalms 37:21.
Study Notes — Proverbs 22:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 22:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 22:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 22:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 22:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 22:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 22:7
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 22:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 22:7
- Sermons on Proverbs 22:7
Context — A Good Name
5Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
8He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. 9A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 4:1 | Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!” |
| 2 | Proverbs 22:16 | Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty. |
| 3 | Matthew 18:25 | Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. |
| 4 | Proverbs 18:23 | The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. |
| 5 | Proverbs 14:31 | Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him. |
| 6 | James 2:6 | But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? |
| 7 | Proverbs 22:22 | Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, |
| 8 | James 5:1 | Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. |
| 9 | Nehemiah 5:4–5 | Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” |
| 10 | Isaiah 24:2 | people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor. |
Proverbs 22:7 Summary
This verse, Proverbs 22:7, teaches us that when we borrow money, we can become trapped in a cycle of debt, and it's like being a slave to the person or institution that lent us the money. The Bible encourages us to be wise with our finances and to avoid debt whenever possible, as seen in Proverbs 21:5. By living within our means and being generous with what we have, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, we can break free from the slavery of debt and live a more peaceful, joyful life. By prioritizing our relationship with God and being responsible with our resources, we can experience true freedom and prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a slave to the lender?
In Proverbs 22:7, being a slave to the lender means that when we borrow money, we become indebted to the one who lent it, and we must work to repay them, as seen in Exodus 21:2-6, where the Bible discusses the treatment of slaves and the importance of releasing them after a certain period of time.
Is it wrong to borrow money according to the Bible?
The Bible does not necessarily say it is wrong to borrow money, but it does warn against the dangers of debt, as seen in Proverbs 22:7, and encourages us to be wise and responsible with our finances, as taught in Matthew 25:27 and Luke 14:28-30.
How can I avoid becoming a slave to the lender?
To avoid becoming a slave to the lender, we should be cautious when borrowing money and strive to live within our means, as encouraged in Proverbs 21:5 and 1 Timothy 5:8, where we are taught to provide for our families and manage our resources wisely.
What is the relationship between wealth and power in this verse?
In Proverbs 22:7, the rich ruling over the poor highlights the reality that wealth often brings a level of influence and control, as also seen in Proverbs 19:10, where it is noted that wealth can bring a sense of security and power.
Reflection Questions
- How has debt affected my life, and what steps can I take to become more financially free, as encouraged in Romans 13:8?
- What are some ways I can be a blessing to others through wise financial management, as taught in 2 Corinthians 9:6-11?
- In what ways can I prioritize generosity and giving, as seen in Proverbs 22:9, to reflect the heart of God?
- How can I balance the need to provide for my family with the danger of accumulating wealth and becoming a slave to material possessions, as warned against in 1 Timothy 6:10?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 22:7
The rich ruleth over the poor,.... Usurps a dominion over them, and exercises it in a rigorous, oppressive, and tyrannical manner; otherwise they are generally the rich that rule, and if they rule
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 22:7
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. The rich ruleth over the poor. Let it be the rule of order, exercised in kindness; not of pride and oppression (James 2:6).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 22:7
Ruleth over the poor, to wit, with rigour and tyranny, taking advantage of his necessities. Is servant to the lender; is at his mercy, and therefore forced to comply with his pleasure. The design of the proverb is partly to correct this miscarriage of the rich, and partly to oblige all men to diligence, whereby they may deliver themselves from this servitude.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 22:7
Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower [is] servant to the lender.Ver. 7. The rich ruleth over the poor.] And that with rigour, as Pharaoh did over Israel, as those imperious mammonists in St James’ s time that oppressed and subjugated their poorest brethren, trampling upon them with the feet of intolerable insolence and cruelty. "Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children," said those poor Jews in Nehemiah, who pleads their cause most effectually. Ubi quot verba, tot tela, quae nimirum animam divitum percellant, fodicent et lancinent, as one saith in another case, He sets upon them with irresistible rhetoric, and makes them restore - which yet rich oppressors are very hardly drawn to do. Every grain of riches hath a vermin of pride and ambition in it. Men’ s blood riseth together with their good, and they think that everything must be as they would have it. But especially if they have "drawn the poor into their nets" - that is, into their bonds, debts, mortgages, as Chrysostom expounds it; then they not only rob, but ravish them; to their cruelty they join dishonesty; there is neither equity nor mercy to be had at their hands.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 22:7
Verse 7. The rich ruleth over the poor] So it is in the order of God, and may be a blessing to both.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 22:7
7. servant] not necessarily by being sold to him as a slave (Leviticus 25:30. Comp. Jeremiah 34:13; Jeremiah 34:17); but more generally as being compelled to do his bidding.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 22:7
7. The rich ruleth over the poor — This proverb, also, states a general fact in forcible language.
Sermons on Proverbs 22:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Turning the Tide - Part 1 by Charles Stanley | This sermon emphasizes the importance of heeding God's warnings throughout history to avoid the consequences of disobedience. It reflects on the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden |
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(Basics) 45. God and Money Are Opposites by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making a choice between serving God or serving money. He compares money to fire, stating that while it can be a useful serv |
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Our Response to the Current Economic Crisis? by Alan Cairns | This sermon addresses the response of Christians to the economic meltdown happening globally. It emphasizes the importance of not panicking but instead trusting in God's promises a |
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Jesus' Attitude to Material Thing's by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of using our lives and passions to please God and serve others. He highlights the example of faithful servants like Watchman N |
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Introduction to Finance Seminar by George Verwer | The sermon transcript discusses the importance of meeting people where they are, including businessmen who may be busy. The speaker emphasizes the need for honesty and open communi |
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Spiritual Insights 03 Rom 13:8 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of wisdom and obedience to God's word. He contrasts the actions of wise individuals who seek to please the Lord with the fool |
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How to Grow Spiritually - Part 2 by Roy Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story of struggling with a lie from the devil for seven years. The lie prevented him from pursuing marriage and having a family, causi |