Proverbs 19:6

6 Everyone tries to gain the favor of important people; everyone claims the friendship of those who give out favors.

Proverbs 19:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:6

Many will entreat the favour of the prince
Or of the liberal and bountiful man; as kings and princes generally are, ( Luke 22:25 ) ; such have many to wait upon them, and are humble petitioners to them. Aben Ezra and Gersom interpret the many of great and honourable men, who are courtiers to kings and princes; who wait upon them, ask favours of them, and seek for places under them. The Targum is,

``there are many that minister before a prince;''
he has many servants, and some of them nobles; and every man [is] a friend to him that giveth gifts;
or "to a man of gift" F11: who has it in his power to give, and has a heart to it; who is both a rich man and a liberal man; who is both able and willing to communicate to the necessities of others: such a man not only has the poor his friends, but others will speak well of him, and will make application to him on account of the poor; and, for the sake of doing good to them, will court his friendship and acquaintance. Bayne interprets this "man of gift" of Christ, who ascended on high, and received gifts for men, and gives them to men.
FOOTNOTES:

F11 (Ntm vyal) "viro doni", Montanus, Vatablus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 19:6 In-Context

4 Rich people are always finding new friends, but the poor cannot keep the few they have.
5 If you tell lies in court, you will be punished - there will be no escape.
6 Everyone tries to gain the favor of important people; everyone claims the friendship of those who give out favors.
7 Even the relatives of a poor person have no use for him; no wonder he has no friends. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot win any.
8 Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.