Proverbs 28:22
Proverbs 28:22 in Multiple Translations
A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him.
He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.
Envious people are in a rush to get rich; they don't realize they'll end up poor.
A man with a wicked eye hasteth to riches, and knoweth not, that pouertie shall come vpon him.
Troubled for wealth [is] the man [with] an evil eye, And he knoweth not that want doth meet him.
A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
A man, that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.
Selfish people [IDM] are very eager to become rich quickly; they do not realize that they will soon become poor.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 28:22
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 28:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נִֽבֳהָ֥ל
לַ/ה֗וֹן
אִ֭ישׁ
רַ֣ע
עָ֑יִן
וְ/לֹֽא
יֵ֝דַע
כִּי
חֶ֥סֶר
יְבֹאֶֽ/נּוּ
נִֽבֳהָ֥ל
bâhal
H926
to dismay
V-Niphal
לַ/ה֗וֹן
hôwn
H1952
substance
Prep | N-ms
אִ֭ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
רַ֣ע
raʻ
H7451
bad
Adj
עָ֑יִן
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cs
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יֵ֝דַע
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
חֶ֥סֶר
cheçer
H2639
poverty
N-ms
יְבֹאֶֽ/נּוּ
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 28:22
נִֽבֳהָ֥ל
bâhal
H926
"to dismay"
V-Niphal
This verb means to be alarmed or agitated, often suddenly. It's used in the Bible to describe people's reactions to frightening events, like battles or natural disasters. It can also mean to hurry or act hastily.
Definition: 1) to disturb, alarm, terrify, hurry, be disturbed, be anxious, be afraid, be hurried, be nervous 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be disturbed, dismayed, terrified, anxious 1a2) to be in haste, be hasty 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make haste, act hastily, be hurried, be hastened 1b2) to dismay, terrify 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to hasten 1c2) hastened, hastily gained (part.) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to hasten, hurry, make haste 1d2) to dismay, terrify
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex. See also: Genesis 45:3; Psalms 6:4; Psalms 2:5.
לַ/ה֗וֹן
hôwn
H1952
"substance"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to wealth or substance, implying that something is enough or of high value. It can also be translated as riches or sufficiency.
Definition: 1) wealth, riches, substance 1a) wealth 1b) price, high value interj 2) enough!, sufficiency
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: enough, [phrase] for nought, riches, substance, wealth. See also: Psalms 44:13; Proverbs 19:4; Psalms 112:3.
אִ֭ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
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.
רַ֣ע
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Adj
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
עָ֑יִן
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cs
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יֵ֝דַע
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
חֶ֥סֶר
cheçer
H2639
"poverty"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means poverty or lack, describing a state of need or destitution, as seen in the KJV translations of poverty and want.
Definition: poverty, want
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: poverty, want. See also: Job 30:3; Proverbs 28:22.
יְבֹאֶֽ/נּוּ
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
Study Notes — Proverbs 28:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 28:22 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 28:22
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 28:22
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 28:22
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 28:22
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 28:22
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 28:22
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 28:22
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 28:22
- Sermons on Proverbs 28:22
Context — The Boldness of the Righteous
20A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.
23He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue. 24He who robs his father or mother, saying, “It is not wrong,” is a companion to the man who destroys.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 23:6 | Do not eat the bread of a stingy man, and do not crave his delicacies; |
| 2 | 1 Timothy 6:9 | Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. |
| 3 | Proverbs 28:20 | A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished. |
| 4 | Job 27:16–17 | Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay, what he lays up, the righteous will wear, and his silver will be divided by the innocent. |
| 5 | Matthew 20:15 | Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ |
| 6 | Job 20:18–22 | He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he cannot enjoy the profits of his trading. For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build. Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure. Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure. In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him. |
| 7 | Mark 7:22 | greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. |
| 8 | Genesis 13:10–13 | And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan for himself and set out toward the east. And Abram and Lot parted company. Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot settled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD. |
| 9 | Genesis 19:17 | As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!” |
Proverbs 28:22 Summary
[Proverbs 28:22 warns us that being overly focused on getting rich can actually lead to poverty, not just financially, but also spiritually and relationally. This is because when we prioritize wealth over people and God, we can become isolated and empty, as described in Ecclesiastes 5:10. To avoid this, we need to cultivate a heart of generosity and contentment, and trust in God's provision for our needs, as promised in Philippians 4:19. By prioritizing our relationship with God and others, we can seek to honor Him in our financial decisions and actions, and avoid the pitfalls of greed and stinginess.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a stingy man in Proverbs 28:22?
A stingy man is someone who is excessively frugal and greedy, prioritizing wealth over relationships and spiritual growth, as seen in Proverbs 28:22, and this mindset can lead to poverty, not just financially, but also spiritually, as warned in Matthew 6:24.
How can someone hasten after wealth without realizing the consequences?
Hastening after wealth without considering the consequences can be a result of prioritizing short-term gains over long-term wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 28:22, and this can lead to a lack of contentment, as described in 1 Timothy 6:10, and ultimately, to poverty.
What kind of poverty awaits the stingy man in Proverbs 28:22?
The poverty that awaits the stingy man in Proverbs 28:22 is not just financial, but also spiritual and relational, as a result of prioritizing wealth over people and God, as warned in Luke 12:15, and this can lead to a life of isolation and emptiness.
How can we avoid being like the stingy man in Proverbs 28:22?
To avoid being like the stingy man, we need to cultivate a heart of generosity and contentment, as described in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, and prioritize our relationship with God and others, as commanded in Matthew 22:37-40, and trust in God's provision, as promised in Philippians 4:19.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be prioritizing wealth or material possessions over relationships or spiritual growth?
- How can I cultivate a heart of generosity and contentment, and trust in God's provision for my needs?
- What are some consequences of hastening after wealth without considering the long-term effects, and how can I avoid these pitfalls in my own life?
- In what ways can I prioritize my relationship with God and others, and seek to honor Him in my financial decisions and actions?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 28:22
He that hasteth to be rich,.... As every man that is eagerly desirous of riches is; he would be rich at once (z), and cannot wait with any patience in the ordinary course of means: [hath] an evil
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 28:22
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. He that hasteth to be rich (28:20) (hath)an evil eye - a grudging illiberal eye (23:6).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 28:22
Hath an evil eye; is uncharitable to persons in want, envious towards those who get any thing besides him, and covetous or greedy of getting riches by all ways possible, whether just or unjust. Thus an evil eye is taken, , as a good eye notes the contrary disposition, . That poverty shall come upon him; and consequently that he shall need the pity and help of others, which he cannot expect either from God or men, who hath so hardened himself against others in misery.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 28:22
Proverbs 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.Ver. 22. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye.] He is sick of "the lust of the eye" - for all sinful lusts are παθηματα, sicknesses - coveting his neighbour’ s goods, envying his prosperity, and begrudging him every bit he eats at his table. And considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.] Etiamsi per mare pauperiem fugeat, per saxa, per ignes; Though he run as fast from beggary as he can flee, yet it will overtake him, and catch him by the back. Surely as the stars that went before the wise men went when they went and stayed when they stayed, so riches fly the faster from a man the more eagerly he follows them, but then stay when a man’ s wind is stayed. "In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits," saith Zophar, concerning the wicked. He is poor in the midst of his riches; but God will strip him of all, and make a poor fool of him.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 28:22
(22) Hath an evil eye.—Envies others their prosperity, and keeps all he has for himself. And considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.—For it is “the liberal soul” that “shall be made fat” (Proverbs 11:25), not such as he, who can get no blessing from God.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 28:22
22. He that hasteth &c. The order of subject and predicate should be reversed as in A.V. marg. and R.V.: He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches. After the manner of this Collection, we have three proverbs (Proverbs 28:20-21) on the same subject brought together. Covetousness is a characteristic of a man who is untrustworthy, Proverbs 28:20, partial, Proverbs 28:21, and mean and grudging, Proverbs 28:22. poverty] Or, want, R.V. Because it is “the liberal soul” that “shall be made fat,” Proverbs 11:25. Comp. Isaiah 32:8.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 28:22
The covetous temper leads not only to dishonesty, but to the “evil eye” of envy; and the temper of grudging, carking care, leads him to poverty.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 28:22
22. Hath an evil eye — Is covetous or envious in disposition, and hence is in trembling haste for wealth. Considereth not… poverty — Yet, though he knows it not, poverty shall come.
Sermons on Proverbs 28:22
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Common Yet Subtle Sin by Samuel Logan Brengle | Samuel Logan Brengle warns against the subtle yet deadly sin of covetousness, which has led to the downfall of many, including kings, apostles, and ordinary people. He illustrates |
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Tenth River -- Covetousness by Martin Knapp | Martin Knapp delivers a powerful sermon on the sin of covetousness, emphasizing how it is an inordinate desire to possess what belongs to others, leading to various destructive beh |
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The False Gospel of Prosperity by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher highlights the dire state of the world, with one billion people near starvation and millions unemployed. He emphasizes the persecution faced by God's c |
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(Basics) 46. the Love of Money Is Evil by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher uses a story of a girl's change of heart towards two different young men to illustrate how our love for money and material things can be replaced by a |
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(Basics) 47. Give Back What Belongs to Others by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the dangers of the love of money and material possessions. He references the story of Zacchaeus, who repented and decided to return four tim |
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Prove Me Now - Part 7 by Keith Daniel | This sermon addresses the destructive nature of alcoholism and the responsibility of Christians, especially preachers, to avoid causing others to stumble by their actions. It empha |
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Backslidings of Balaam by Charles Banna | This sermon emphasizes the dangers of falling into covetousness and pride, using the example of Balaam who was led astray by these sins. It highlights the importance of fleeing fro |