Proverbs 28:8

8 He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.

Proverbs 28:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 28:8

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance
By biting and oppressing the poor; letting him have money at an exorbitant interest, and goods at an exorbitant price, and so increases his substance in this scandalous manner; hence usury is in ( Leviticus 25:36 ) , called "increase", and by the Greeks (tokov) , a "birth", because money is the birth of money, as Aristotle ^F5 observes; and so by the Latins "foenus", as if it was "foetus" ^F6, "a birth". The word for usury here signifies biting; and so usury, with classical writers ^F7, is said to bite; and while it increases the substance of the usurer, it lessens and devours that of others; he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor;
not for himself, nor for his posterity; but for such, though not intentionally but eventually, as will make a good use of it, and distribute it to the necessities of the poor. The meaning is, that things should be so overruled by the providence of God, that what such an avaricious man gets in his dishonest way should not be enjoyed by him or his; but should be taken out of his hands, and put into the hands of another, that will do good with it, by showing mercy to the poor; see ( Job 27:16 Job 27:17 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Politic. l. 1. c. 10.
F6 A. Gell. Noct. Attic. l. 16. c. 12.
F7 Plauti Pseudolos, Act. 4. Sc. 7. v. 23, 24. "Habet argentum jam admordere hune mihi lubet", Lucan. l. 1. v. 131. "Vorax usura."

Proverbs 28:8 In-Context

6 Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.

7 He that keepeth the law, is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.

8 He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination.

10 He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.