Proverbs 19:7

7 Even the relatives of a poor person have no use for him; no wonder he has no friends. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot win any.

Proverbs 19:7 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 19:7

All the brethren of the poor do hate him
They despise him on account of his poverty; they neglect him, and do not take care of him; they reckon him a reproach unto them, and do not choose to own him; all which may be interpreted an hatred of him; how much more do his friends go far from him?
or "his friend", every one of his friends; or "his neighbour" ^F12: for if his brethren, who are his own flesh and blood, show so much disrespect unto him; much more will those who are only his neighbours, or were in friendship with him while in prosperity; these wilt stand at a distance from him, and not come near him, now he is poor and in distress; see ( Job 19:13 Job 19:14 ) ; he pursueth [them with] words; [yet] they are wanting [to him];
or, "they [are] not" ^F13; he presses them with earnest entreaties to relieve him; he urges their own words and promises, and fetches arguments from them, and uses them as far as they will go; but all signifies nothing; his own words and petitions are to no purpose; and their words and promises are all smoke and vapour, vain and empty. Some understand this, as Gersom, not of the poor man that follows vain words

---

FOOTNOTES:

F14 and empty promises, and buoys himself up with them that such an one and such an one has promised to be his friend, of which nothing comes; but of the friend that separates from the poor man, and pursues him with words of accusation, charging it on him as hit own fault that he is poor; which accusations are not true. This is one of the fifteen places observed by the Masoretes, in which it is written (al) , "not", and read (wl) , "to him": both may be retained, and read, "they [are] not to him" ^F15; not profitable to him; either his own words, his petitions; or the words of others, their promises.
F12 (wherm) "amicus ejus", Vatablus; "ominis amicus", Cocceius; i.e. "quisque amicorum ejus", Michaelis.
F13 (hmh al) "non sunt ii", Junius & Tremillius; "et non sunt, Mercerus.
F14 "Nihil illa", Cocceius, Schultens.
F15 Vid. Amamae Antibarb. Bibl. l. 3. p. 742.

Proverbs 19:7 In-Context

5 If you tell lies in court, you will be punished - there will be no escape.

6 Everyone tries to gain the favor of important people; everyone claims the friendship of those who give out favors.

7 Even the relatives of a poor person have no use for him; no wonder he has no friends. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot win any.

8 Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper.

9 No one who tells lies in court can escape punishment; he is doomed.

Footnotes

• [a] [Probable text] No matter . . . any; [Hebrew unclear.]