The Meaning of Proverbs 28:8 Explained

Proverbs 28:8

KJV: He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

YLT: Whoso is multiplying his wealth by biting and usury, For one favouring the poor doth gather it.

Darby: He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance gathereth it for him that is gracious to the poor.

ASV: He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He that by usury  and unjust gain  increaseth  his substance,  he shall gather  it for him that will pity  the poor. 

What does Proverbs 28:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

When authorities discover a person who gets rich by charging exorbitant interest, and they bring him to justice, they usually turn his money over to others who are trustworthy and less greedy. This illustrates the fact that a person who amasses a fortune dishonestly often loses it eventually.

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 28

1  general observations of impiety and integrity

What do the individual words in Proverbs 28:8 mean?

One who increases his possessions by usury - and extortion for him who will pity the poor Gathers it
מַרְבֶּ֣ה ה֭וֹנוֹ בְּנֶ֣שֶׁךְ [ובתרבית] (וְתַרְבִּ֑ית) לְחוֹנֵ֖ן דַּלִּ֣ים יִקְבְּצֶֽנּוּ

מַרְבֶּ֣ה  One  who  increases 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: הַרְבָּה 
Sense: be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous.
ה֭וֹנוֹ  his  possessions 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: הֹון  
Sense: wealth, riches, substance.
בְּנֶ֣שֶׁךְ  by  usury 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: נֶשֶׁךְ  
Sense: interest, usury.
[ובתרבית]  - 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular
(וְתַרְבִּ֑ית)  and  extortion 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: תַּרְבִּית  
Sense: increment, usury, interest, bonus.
לְחוֹנֵ֖ן  for  him  who  will  pity 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: חָנַן 
Sense: to be gracious, show favour, pity.
דַּלִּ֣ים  the  poor 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural construct
Root: דַּל  
Sense: low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low.
יִקְבְּצֶֽנּוּ  Gathers  it 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: קָבַץ  
Sense: to gather, assemble.