Proverbs 22:16
Exploitation and favoritism lead to loss rather than gain.
16 Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty.
Exploitation and favoritism lead to loss rather than gain.
To warn that exploiting the poor for gain or flattering the rich for advantage ultimately leads to loss rather than prosperity.
Proverbs 22:16 concludes the first major unit of Proverbs 22 before the transition into the sayings of the wise beginning in Proverbs 22:17. It follows verse 15, which addressed the need to drive folly from the heart of a child. Verse 16 now shows mature folly in economic and social form: oppression of the poor and manipulative favor-seeking toward the rich. The verse also gathers themes from the chapter’s opening section. Proverbs 22:2 taught that rich and poor share the Lord as Maker. Proverbs 22:7 observed that the rich rule over the poor and the borrower is slave to the lender. Proverbs 22:8 warned that sowing injustice reaps calamity. Proverbs 22:9 blessed the generous who share bread with the poor. Verse 16 now condemns the opposite of generosity and justice: using the poor for gain and using gifts to manipulate the rich.
In ancient Israel, economic oppression of the poor could occur through debt, land seizure, unjust wages, corrupt courts, dishonest scales, harsh lending, or withholding basic provision. Giving gifts to the rich could function as social maneuvering, patronage, bribery-like influence seeking, or attempts to gain favor from those with power. Proverbs 22:16 condemns both strategies. One takes advantage of weakness; the other flatters strength. Both are attempts to secure increase apart from righteousness, and both lead toward loss.
A Good Name, Humility, Training, Justice for the Poor, and the Words of the Wise
Wisdom prizes a good name above riches, walks humbly in the fear of the LORD, trains the young, protects the poor, receives trustworthy instruction, avoids corrupting companions, and serves with skill before God.