Proverbs 19:4

“Wealth maketh many friends, etc.] Or “adds”f536; it increases the number of them: so the poetf537, “donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos”; and to this agrees what the wise man says, (<201420>Proverbs 14:20); but the poor is separated from his neighbour; or “friend”f538; he will not visit him as he did in his prosperity, nor suffer him to come into his house or company, or come near him; he is separated from his affection, friendship, and presence: so another poetf539, “if thou art rich, thou wilt have many friends; but, if poor, few.””

“(Compare Pro 14:20). Such facts are often adduced with implied disapprobation.”

“maketh: Pro 19:6, Pro 19:7, Pro 14:20; Luk 15:13-15 the poor: Pro 10:15; Job 6:15-23, Job 19:13-17 Proverbs 19:5”

“4 Wealth bringeth many friends; But the reduced - his friend separateth himself. The very same contrast, though otherwise expressed, we had at Pro 14:20. Regarding הון, vid., vol. i, p. 63. דל is the tottering, or he who has fallen into a tottering condition, who has no resources, possesses no means. The accentuation gives Mugrash to the word (according to which the Targ. translates), for it is not the subject of יפּרד: the reduced is separated (pass. Niph.) by his misfortunes, or must separate himself (reflex. Niph.) from his friend (מרעהוּ, as Ecc 4:4, prae socio suo); but subject of the virtual pred. מרעהוּ יפּרד: the reduced - his friend (מרעהו, as Pro 19:7) separates himself, i.e.,…”