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Proverbs 16:28

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 16:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Proverbs 16:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him [thereto].
27A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.
28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends.
29A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good.
30He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.
31The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness.
← Proverbs 16:27Proverbs 16:29 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Pro 6:14; Pro 10:31). whisperer--prater, talebearer (Pro 18:8; Pro 26:20).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The four verses speak of the same thing, and the well-known opprobrious name, the “man of Belial,” stands at the head as stigmatizing the man who delights in causing the mischief of which they treat. Diggeth up evil - i. e., Digs an evil pit for others to fall into. Compare Psalms 7:15. Proverbs 16:30 The physiognomy of the man of Belial, the half-closed eyes that never look you straight in the face, the restlessness or cunning of which biting the lips is the surest indication. Compare Proverbs 6:13. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“froward: Pro 6:14, Pro 6:19, Pro 15:18, Pro 18:8, Pro 26:20-22, Pro 29:22, Pro 30:33; Ti1 6:3-5; Jam 3:14-16 soweth: Heb. sendeth forth a whisperer: Pro 17:9; Gen 3:1-13; Sa1 24:9; Rom 1:29; Co2 12:20 Proverbs 16:29”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“28 A man of falsehood scattereth strife, And a backbiter separateth confidential friends. Regarding תּהפּכות (מדבר) אישׁ, vid., Pro 2:12, and מדון ישׁלּח, Pro 6:14; the thought of 28b is found at Pro 6:19. נרגּן (with ן minusculum, which occurs thrice with the terminal Nun) is a Niphal formation from רגן, to murmur (cf. נזיד, from זיד), and denotes the whisperer, viz., the backbiter, ψίθυρος, Sir. 5:14, ψιθυριστής, susurro; the Arab. nyrj is abbreviated from it, a verbal stem of נרג (cf. Aram. norgo, an axe, Arab. naurag, a threshing-sledge = מורג) cannot be proved. Aquila is right in translating by τονθρυστής, and Theodotion by γόγγυσος, from רגן, Hiph. נרגּן, γογγύζειν. Regarding…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification