Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 14:21
He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
Pro 14:21
He that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
London poverty
The problems presented by poverty are recurrent. Wisdom as well as courage is required by those who would confront them successfully. Civilisation tends to the separation of men, but Christianity can bring them together till they constitute a true brotherhood, in which the strong shall help to bear the burdens which are crushing the weak. It is a wholesome sign that such questions as this are being more closely considered, and more boldly treated than they formerly were, especially by Christian people. If dogmatic Christianity seems weaker, practical Christianity is stronger. There is, undoubtedly, much to discourage pity when we attempt to know the condition of the poor, and to do them service for Christs sake. We meet with improvidence, drink, and imposture. We do not palliate such wickedness and folly, but would use it rather as an argument for considering the poor, for discriminating between things that differ, so that pity and generosity may flow in the right direction. Scripture lays down the principles which should guide us. Under Judaism the enactments which tended to prevent or relieve poverty are very prominent. The privileges of gleaners, the precepts which forbade the withholding of wages, and the laws against usury, are specimens. The Year of Jubilee was remarkable social institution. That year poverty was suffered to put forth its claims in Gods name, and was sure of a fair hearing. Judaism did but foreshadow the work of Jesus, who came to establish righteousness, and to proclaim brotherhood between men and between nations. He was listened to most eagerly by the poor. He was born among them, was all through His life one of them–understood their habits and feelings, was at home in their houses, and taught truth in a way that they could comprehend. We admit that we cannot reach an ideal state of society in the world so long as sin exists. But we are not to fold our hands–waiting for a coming millennium–thinking that of necessity things must be as they are. Christ our Saviour is the worlds rightful king, and He means to conquer it for Himself, through the righteousness and mercifulness of His people. Still, the law of love holds good, and if we follow our Lord, we shall go forth to seek and to save those that are lost. And they need saving–from misery, from degradation, and from despair. Consideration of the moral effects of poverty will lead us to deeper pity of the poor. A poor man has not the gracious home influence that most of us enjoy. The temptation to envy must come with tremendous power to a poor man. What can be done to alter for the better a state of things which every Christian ought to think of pitifully and prayerfully? We have something to do in forming public opinion on this question, so that anything which is within the sphere of legislation may be done. Charity also has its claims upon our thoughts and generosity. And above all, the good news of the Kingdom is needed of these our brethren. (A. Rowland, LL.B., B.A}
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 21. He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth] To despise a man because he has some natural blemish is unjust, cruel, and wicked. He is not the author of his own imperfections; they did not occur through his fault or folly; and if he could, he would not retain them. It is, therefore, unjust and wicked to despise him for what is not his fault, but his misfortune.
But he that hath mercy on the poor] Who reproaches no man for his poverty or scanty intellect, but divides his bread with the hungry-happy is he; the blessing of God, and of them that were ready to perish, shall come upon him.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
That despiseth his neighbour; that doth not pity and relieve the poor, as this is explained in the next clause; the word neighbour being here generally taken for any man, as it is most commonly used in Scripture; which not relieving him proceeds from a contempt of his person.
Sinneth; and therefore shall be punished for his inhumanity, which is opposed to his being happy in the next clause.
That hath mercy; that showeth his compassion by his bounty and relief.
Happy is he; he doth a worthy action, and shall be blessed in his deed.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
21. For such contempt of thepoor is contrasted as sinful with the virtuous compassion of thegood.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth,…. He that despiseth his neighbour in his heart, speaks slightly of him, overlooks him, is not friendly to him, will neither converse with him, nor relieve him in his necessity; for it seems to be understood of his poor neighbour; and so the Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, “he that despiseth the poor”; that despises him for his poverty; because of his pedigree and education, and the low circumstances he is in; or on account of his weakness and incapacity, or any outward circumstance that attends him; such an one sins very greatly, is guilty of a heinous sin; and he will be reckoned and dealt with as a sinner, and be condemned and punished, and so be unhappy and miserable;
but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he; or,
“that gives to the poor,”
as the Targum; who has compassion on him in his distress, and shows it by relieving him: he that shows favour to the meek and humble ones, as the word s may be rendered, and as they generally are that are in affliction and poverty, for these tend to humble men; and such who regard them in their low estate are “happy” or blessed; they are blessed in things temporal and spiritual, and both here and hereafter; see Ps 41:1.
s “modestorum”, Montanus, Mercerus; “mansuetos”, Cocceius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
21 Whoever despiseth his neighbour committeth sin;
But whoever hath compassion on the suffering – blessings on him!
One should regard every human being, especially such as God has placed near to him, as a being having the same origin, as created in the image of God, and of the same lofty destination, and should consider himself as under obligation to love him. He who despiseth his neighbour (write with Metheg, and vid., regarding the constr. with dat. object. Pro 6:30, cf. Pro 11:12; Pro 13:13) sins in this respect, that he raises himself proudly and unwarrantably above him; that the honour and love he shows to him he measures not by the rule of duty and of necessity, but according to that which is pleasing to himself; and in that he refuses to him that which according to the ordinance of God he owes him. In Pro 14:21 the Chethb and the Ker ( vid., at Psa 9:13) interchange in an inexplicable way; is the bowed down (cf. Arab. ma’nuww , particularly of the prisoner, from ‘ana , fut. ya’nw , to bow, bend), (Arab. ‘anin , with the art. al’niy , from the intrans. ‘aniya , to be bowed down) the patient bearer who in the school of suffering has learned humility and meekness. One does not see why the Ker here exchanges that passive idea for this ethical one, especially since, in proving himself to be (compassionate) (for which elsewhere the part. Kal , Pro 14:31; Pro 19:17; Pro 28:8), one must be determined only by the needy condition of his neighbour, and not by his (the neighbour’s) moral worthiness, the want of which ought to make him twofold more an object of our compassion. All the old translators, from the lxx to the Venet. and Luther, on this account adopt the Chethb .
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
See here how men’s character and condition are measured and judged of by their conduct towards their poor neighbours. 1. Those that look upon them with contempt have here assigned them a bad character, and their condition will be accordingly: He that despises his neighbour because he is low in the world, because he is of a mean extraction, rustic education, and makes but a mean figure, that thinks it below him to take notice of him, converse with him, or concern himself about him, and sets him with the dogs of his flock, is a sinner, is guilty of a sin, is in the way to worse, and shall be dealt with as a sinner; unhappy is he. 2. Those that look upon them with compassion are here said to be in a good condition, according to their character: He that has mercy on the poor, is ready to do all the good offices he can to him, and thereby puts an honour upon him, happy is he; he does that which is pleasing to God, which he himself will afterwards reflect upon with great satisfaction, for which the loins of the poor will bless him, and which will be abundantly recompensed in the resurrection of the just.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
21. Sinneth Misses, blunders. Although one proverb frequently seems to have no relation either to a preceding or a succeeding one, yet in this case the conclusion can hardly be resisted that this proverb was intended to be the sequel to the preceding one. The 20th verse states the fact; the 21st verse, the moral character of the fact.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 21. He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
I detain not the Reader with offering any comment upon those verses. If they be read with an eye to Christ, and the Holy Ghost be the teacher, many are the gracious instructions which will arise out of them.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Pro 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy [is] he.
Ver. 21. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth. ] His poor neighbour. Where the hedge is low the beast will easily break over. None usually are so trampled on with the feet of pride and contempt, by the great bulls of Bashan, as the necessitous and afflicted. Hence “poor” and “afflicted” are set together; Zep 3:12 so are “to want” and “to be abased.” Php 4:11 This is a great sin, saith Solomon; it is to commit sin and to “be convinced of the law” as transgressors, saith St James. Pro 3:9
But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
sinneth. Hebrew. chata
hath mercy on = is gracious to.
the poor = an afflicted one. Hebrew. ‘anah. See note on Pro 6:11.
happy. See note on Pro 3:13.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 14:21
Pro 14:21
“He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth; But he that hath pity upon the poor, happy is he.”
The great glory of Christianity is that it regards and honors the poor, who, alas, constitute the vast majority of mankind. “Blessed are ye poor! Blessed are the poor in spirit!” These are the words of Christ, who, “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich” (2Co 8:9).
Pro 14:21. But we are not to despise our neighbor (even if he is poor, as in Pro 14:20). Some have no sense of respect or honor, seemingly despising, belittling, and running down everyone continually. Let us not thus violate the second commandment (Mar 12:31), but let us have pity upon the poor (Gal 2:10; Mat 25:35-36), for those who do will be blessed of God (Psa 41:1; Act 20:35; Pro 19:17; Luk 14:13-14).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
that despiseth: Pro 11:12, Pro 17:5, Pro 18:3, Job 31:13-15, Job 35:5, Job 35:6, Psa 22:24, Luk 18:9, Jam 2:5, Jam 2:6, Jam 2:14-16
he that hath: Pro 14:31, Pro 11:24, Pro 11:25, Pro 19:17, Pro 28:27, Psa 41:1, Psa 41:2, Psa 112:5, Psa 112:9, Ecc 11:1, Ecc 11:2, Isa 58:7-12, Dan 4:27, Mat 25:34-46, Luk 6:30-36, Act 20:35, Heb 6:12, 1Jo 3:17-22
Reciprocal: Lev 25:35 – thy brother Deu 15:4 – greatly bless Deu 24:19 – may bless Deu 26:12 – hast given it Job 30:25 – was Mat 5:7 – are Mat 25:35 – I was an Luk 10:37 – He that Rom 15:26 – the poor
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 14:21. He that despiseth his neighbour That doth not pity and relieve the poor, as this is explained in the next clause; sinneth And therefore shall be punished for his inhumanity, which is opposed to his being happy, in the next branch; but he that hath mercy on the poor That shows his compassion for them by his bounty to them; happy is he He doth a worthy action, and shall be blessed in his deed.