The Meaning of Proverbs 28:16 Explained

Proverbs 28:16

KJV: The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

YLT: A leader lacking understanding multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days.

Darby: The prince void of intelligence is also a great oppressor: he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

ASV: The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The prince  that wanteth  understanding  [is] also a great  oppressor:  [but] he that hateth  covetousness  shall prolong  [his] days. 

What does Proverbs 28:16 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 28

1  general observations of impiety and integrity

What do the individual words in Proverbs 28:16 mean?

A ruler lacking understanding and great [is] a oppressor - [But] he who hates covetousness will prolong [his] days -
נָגִ֗יד חֲסַ֣ר תְּ֭בוּנוֹת וְרַ֥ב מַעֲשַׁקּ֑וֹת [שנאי] (שֹׂ֥נֵא) בֶ֝֗צַע יַאֲרִ֥יךְ יָמִֽים פ

נָגִ֗יד  A  ruler 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: נָגִיד  
Sense: leader, ruler, captain, prince.
חֲסַ֣ר  lacking 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular construct
Root: חָסֵר  
Sense: in need of, lacking, needy, in want of.
תְּ֭בוּנוֹת  understanding 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: תְּבוּנָה 
Sense: understanding, intelligence.
וְרַ֥ב  and  great 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine singular construct
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
מַעֲשַׁקּ֑וֹת  [is]  a  oppressor 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַעֲשַׁקֹּות  
Sense: extortionate deed, extortion.
[שנאי]  - 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
(שֹׂ֥נֵא)  [But]  he  who  hates 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct
Root: שָׂנֵא  
Sense: to hate, be hateful.
בֶ֝֗צַע  covetousness 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בֶּצַע  
Sense: profit, unjust gain, gain (profit) acquired by violence.
יַאֲרִ֥יךְ  will  prolong 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָרַךְ 
Sense: to be long, prolong.
יָמִֽים  [his]  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
פ  - 
Parse: Punctuation