Proverbs 28:27

27 He that giveth to a poor man, shall not be needy; he that despiseth a poor man beseeching, shall suffer neediness. (He who giveth to the poor, shall not be needy; but he who despiseth the pleading of the poor, shall suffer want, or lack.)

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 He that avaunteth himself, and alargeth, raiseth up strives; but he that hopeth in the Lord, shall be saved. (He who vaunteth, and enlargeth, himself, raiseth up arguments, or contention; but he who trusteth in the Lord, shall be saved.)
26 He that trusteth in his (own) heart, is a fool; but he that goeth wisely, shall be praised.
27 He that giveth to a poor man, shall not be needy; he that despiseth a poor man beseeching, shall suffer neediness. (He who giveth to the poor, shall not be needy; but he who despiseth the pleading of the poor, shall suffer want, or lack.)
28 When unpious men rise, men shall be hid; and when they have perished, just men shall be multiplied. (When the wicked rise up, people shall be hidden; but when they have perished, the righteous shall be multiplied.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.