Proverbs 19:6

6 Many try to win the favor of rulers. And everyone is the friend of 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 brings many friends. But the friends of poor people leave them alone.
5 A dishonest witness will be punished. And those who pour out lies will not go free.
6 Many try to win the favor of rulers. And everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.
7 A poor person is avoided by his whole family. His friends avoid him even more. The poor person runs after them to beg. But he can't find them.
8 Anyone who gets wisdom loves himself. Anyone who values understanding succeeds.
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