Proverbs 14:31

“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker, etc.] That does him any injury, either by scoffing at him, and reproaching him for his poverty; or by vexatious law suits; or by withholding from him his wages; or not giving him that relief which he ought: such an one not only injures the poor man; but reproaches God that made him, not only a man, but a poor man; and who is the Maker of the rich man also, (<202202>Proverbs 22:2); but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor; he that is desirous of honouring God, and glorifying him, will give of his substance to the poor; having compassion on him in his necessitous circumstances, will relieve him; and in so doing he honours God, whose…”

“reproacheth his Maker--who is the God of such, as well as of the rich (Pro 22:2; Job 31:15; and specially Sa1 2:8; Psa 113:7).”

“Honoureth him - i. e., God, who is the Maker of poor and rich alike. return to 'Top of Page'”

“His maker - Whose image the poor man bears, by whose providence he is made poor, and who hath declared himself to be their protector and avenger. Proverbs 14:32”

“14:31 Wise people help the poor (cp. 11:24-26; 28:27; see Lev 19:9-10; Deut 15:11; 24:10-15; Isa 3:14-15; Jer 2:34; see also Jas 2:1-13). • insult their Maker: See also Prov 17:5.”

“that oppresseth: Pro 17:5, Pro 22:2, Pro 22:16, Pro 22:22, Pro 22:23; Job 31:13-16; Psa 12:5; Ecc 5:8; Mat 25:40-46 but: Pro 14:21, Pro 19:17; Mat 25:40; Joh 12:8; Co2 8:7-9; Jo1 3:17-21, Jo1 4:21 Proverbs 14:32”

“31 He who oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; And whosoever is merciful to the poor, it is an honour to him. Line first is repeated in Pro 17:5 somewhat varied, and the relation of the idea in 31b is as Pro 19:17, according to which וּמכבּדו is the predicate and חונן אביון the subject (Symmachus, Targ., Jerome, Venet., Luther), not the reverse (Syr.); חונן is thus not the 3 per. Po. (lxx), but the part. Kal (for which 21b has the part. Po. מחונן). The predicates חרף עשׂהוּ (vid., regarding the perf. Gesen. 126, 3) and ומכבדו follow one another after the scheme of the Chiasmus. עשׁק has Munach on the first syllable, on which the tone is thrown back, and on the second the העמדה sign…”