Proverbs 28:15

“[As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, etc.] Which are both terrible; the lion that roars for want of food, or when it is over its prey; and the hear, when it runs from place to place in quest of provision, being “hungry [and very] desirous” of food, has a keen appetite, as some think the wordf782 signifies. The Targum and Jarchi take it to be expressive of the cry and roaring it makes at such a time, as well as the lion; (see <235911>Isaiah 59:11); so the Tigurine version. “Roaring” is the proper epithet of a lion, and is frequently given it in Scripture, and in other writersf783; and the bear, it is to have its name, in the Oriental language, from the growling and murmuring noise it…”

“The rapacity and cruelty of such beasts well represent some wicked men (compare Psa 7:2; Psa 17:12).”

“The form of political wretchedness, when the poverty of the oppressed subjects not only embitters their sufferings, but exasperates the brutal ferocity of the ruler. return to 'Top of Page'”

“28:15 A wicked ruler will not help the poor because his rule is not just. Like a roaring lion or an attacking bear, he destroys their lives.”

“a roaring: Pro 20:2; Hos 5:11; Pe1 5:8 a ranging: Pro 17:12; Kg2 2:24; Hos 13:8 so: Exo 1:14-16, Exo 1:22; Sa1 22:17-19; Kg2 15:16, Kg2 21:16; Est 3:6-10; Mat 2:16 Proverbs 28:16”

“This general ethical proverb is now followed by one concerning the king: 15 A roaring lion and a ravening bear Is a foolish ruler over a poor people, i.e., a people without riches and possessions, without lasting sources of help - a people brought low by the events of war and by calamities. To such a people a tyrant is a twofold terror, like a ravenous monster. The lxx translate מושׁל רשׁע by ὃς τυραννεῖ πτωχὸς ὤν, as if רשׁ had been transferred to this place from Pro 28:3. But their translation of רשׁע, Pro 29:7, wavers between ἀσεβής and πτωχός, and of the bear they make a wolf זאב, dialectical דּיב. שׁוקק designates a bear as lingering about, running hither and thither, impelled…”