Mishle 22:16

16 He that oppresseth the dal (poor) in order to increase, and he that giveth to the oisher, shall surely come to machsor (poverty, want).

Mishle 22:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:16

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches]
By taking away from them the little they have; by keeping back their hire, defrauding them of the just wages of their labours; or by usury and extortion, or any other unjust method, whereby they distress the poor, and enrich themselves; [and] he that giveth to the rich [shall] surely [come] to want:
that gives to those that are richer than he; or that are in greater power and authority, that they may protect him in the possession of his ill gotten riches; yet, after all, it shall not thrive and prosper with him, it will all issue in poverty and want: or, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "he shall give to one more rich, and shall want"; he shall be forced to give it to another richer than he, and of greater power, and so shall get nothing by his oppression of the poor; but as he has served the poor, so shall he be served himself, and be brought to beggary and want; see ( Proverbs 21:13 ) .

Mishle 22:16 In-Context

14 The peh (mouth) of zarot (strange women) is a deep pit; he that is under the wrath of Hashem shall fall therein.

15 Folly is bound in the lev na’ar, but the shevet musar (rod of correction) shall drive it far from him.

16 He that oppresseth the dal (poor) in order to increase, and he that giveth to the oisher, shall surely come to machsor (poverty, want).

17 Bow down thine ozen, and hear the devarim of chachamim, and apply thine lev (mind, heart) unto my da’as.

18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou be shomer over them within thee; they shall therewith abide ready upon thy sfatayim (lips).