Proverbs 19:6

6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, And everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

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 Wealth adds many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, And everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 All the relatives of the poor shun him: How much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.