Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights a divine reversal: wealth gained through oppressive interest and profit-taking isn't truly owned by the hoarder. Instead, God's providence ensures that such ill-gotten gains will ultimately end up in the hands of someone generous, who will use them for the good of the poor.
Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb stands amidst other warnings against dishonest practices, following a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The verses immediately before and after speak about justice, integrity, and the eventual downfall of those who are corrupt or greedy. This particular verse then zeroes in on the specific sin of accumulating wealth through exploitative lending, suggesting that such ill-gotten gains ultimately won't benefit the oppressor but will instead end up in the hands of someone generous to the poor.
The verse paints a stark picture of wealth built on shaky ground. What exactly is this 'usury and unjust gain,' and why does Proverbs condemn it so strongly?
Proverbs uses two Hebrew words that describe oppressive financial practices: 'neshek' and 'tarbith'.
'Neshek' - The Bite of Interest
This term literally means 'a bite.' It refers to charging interest on money lent, especially to those in desperate need. It’s like the money itself is biting its borrower, draining them.
'Tarbith' - The Extortionate Increase
This word means 'increase' or 'profit,' but in this context, it signifies an excessive or illicit gain, often taken in kind. Imagine lending a measure of grain and demanding two back – that's 'tarbith'.
Both practices exploit vulnerability and were forbidden by the Law of Moses when dealing with fellow Israelites because they preyed on the poor and disadvantaged. This verse highlights that wealth accumulated through such means is fundamentally flawed.
It seems counterintuitive, but the wealth gained through greed doesn't ultimately benefit the greedy. What does this verse reveal about where wealth truly ends up?
This verse isn't just about financial ethics; it's about the sovereign hand of God at work in the world.
The Ultimate Destination of Wealth
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The core message is that wealth acquired through dishonest means will not last with the oppressor. Instead, God's providence ensures it will eventually be gathered by someone else – specifically, someone who 'will pity the poor.'
A Divine Redistribution
This isn't necessarily about the greedy person intentionally giving to the poor. It's about God orchestrating events so that ill-gotten gains are transferred. Whether through financial ruin, unexpected loss, or other means, the wealth finds its way to hands that will use it for good, demonstrating that God cares deeply about the poor and justice.
Think of it like a steward who mismanages resources; eventually, the master takes it away and gives it to someone more faithful.
This passage from the Law of Moses explicitly forbids charging interest or increase on loans between Israelites, directly addressing the 'usury and unjust gain' condemned in Proverbs.
Luke 19:24In Jesus' parable of the ten minas, the master takes the talent from the unprofitable servant and gives it to the one who multiplied it, mirroring the idea in Proverbs that wealth gained unrighteously will be passed to someone who uses it more wisely.
Job 27:16This passage describes how a wicked person might amass wealth, but it will ultimately be given to others, echoing the theme that ill-gotten gains are not truly possessed by the one who acquires them.
Ezekiel 18:13The prophet Ezekiel lists oppressive financial practices, including usury, as sins that lead to judgment, reinforcing the moral condemnation of the kind of wealth accumulation described in Proverbs.
gillProverbs 28:8: "He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor."
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 a "birth", because money is the birth of money, as Aristo…
pulpitProverbs 28:8: "He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor."
Verse 8. - He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance. "Usury" (neshek) is interest on money lent taken in money; "unjust gain" (tarbith) is interest taken in kind, as if a man, having lent a bushel of corn, exacted two bushels in return. All such transactions were forbidden by the Law of Moses, at any rate between Israelites (see Leviticus 25:36, 37, "T…
This verse highlights a divine reversal: wealth gained through oppressive interest and profit-taking isn't truly owned by the hoarder. Instead, God's providence ensures that such ill-gotten gains will ultimately end up in the hands of someone generous, who will use them for the good of the poor.
This proverb stands amidst other warnings against dishonest practices, following a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The verses immediately before and after speak about justice, integrity, and the eventual downfall of those who are corrupt or greedy. This particular verse then zeroes in on the specific sin of accumulating wealth through exploitative lending, suggesting that such ill-gotten gains ultimately won't benefit the oppressor but will instead end up in the hands of someone generous to the poor.
This proverb stands amidst other warnings against dishonest practices, following a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The verses immediately before and after speak about justice, integrity, and the eventual downfall of those who are corrupt or greedy. This particular verse then zeroes in on the specific sin of accumulating wealth through exploitative lending, suggesting that such ill-gotten gains ultimately won't benefit the oppressor but will instead end up in the hands of someone generous to the poor.
"Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor." — This verse highlights a divine reversal: wealth gained through oppressive interest and profit-taking isn't truly owned by the hoarder. Instead, God's providence ensures that such ill-gotten gains wil…
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Last reviewed October 2026