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Proverbs 22:23

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 22:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.
Proverbs 22:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20Have not I written unto thee excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,
21To make thee know the certainty of the words of truth, That thou mayest carry back words of truth to them that send thee?
22Rob not the poor, because he is poor; Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23For Jehovah will plead their cause, And despoil of life those that despoil them.
24Make no friendship with a man that is given to anger; And with a wrathful man thou shalt not go:
25Lest thou learn this ways, And get a snare to thy soul.
26Be thou not one of them that strike hands, [Or] of them that are sureties for debts.
← Proverbs 22:22Proverbs 22:24 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For the Lord will plead their cause, etc.] If counsellors at the bar will not, he will; if judges on the bench will not do them justice, he will; he will judge the poor of the people; he will plead their cause, and plead it thoroughly, till he has brought forth judgment unto victory: woe to the man against whom Jehovah pleads; happy the poor on whose side he is; for their Redeemer is mighty, the Lord of hosts is his name, (<197204>Psalm 72:4 <245034> Jeremiah 50:34); and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them; they could only spoil the poor of their goods, but the Lord can and will spoil and destroy the souls of the spoilers in hell: or, “spoil them that spoiled their soul” or “life”f613;…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Spoil the soul - Take away not only their goods but their lives too. Proverbs 22:29”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Pro 23:11; Sa1 24:12, Sa1 24:15, Sa1 25:39; Psa 12:5, Psa 35:1, Psa 35:10, Psa 43:1, Psa 68:5, Psa 140:12; Jer 50:34, Jer 51:36; Mic 7:9; Mal 3:5 spoil: Isa 33:1; Hab 2:8 Proverbs 22:24”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 22 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification