Proverbs 28:27

27 Whoever 1gives to the poor will not want, but he who 2hides his eyes will get many a curse.

Proverbs 28:27 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:27

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack
That gives alms unto them, relieves them in their distress, supplies them with money, food, or clothes, and does it cheerfully, largely, and liberally, as the case requires; such an one shall not want any good thing; he shall not be the poorer for what he gives; he shall not miss it, nor his substance be diminished; he shall not come to poverty and want, yea, he shall be enriched, and his substance increased, for more is intended than is expressed. Jarchi interprets this of a wise man not restraining doctrine from a disciple, but giving it to him liberally; but he that hideth his eyes;
that is, from the poor, as the Targum and Syriac version add; that does not care to see his person, to behold his miseries, or know his case, lest his heart should be moved with compassion, and should draw out anything from him; see ( Isaiah 58:7 ) . Such an one shall have many a curse;
not only from the poor he hardens himself against, but from other persons, who observe his miserable and covetous disposition; and from the Lord himself, who abhors such persons, and curses their very blessings now, and will bid them depart from him as accursed persons hereafter.

Proverbs 28:27 In-Context

25 A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
28 When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Cross References 2

  • 1. [Proverbs 11:24]; See Proverbs 19:17
  • 2. [Proverbs 29:7]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.