Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 28:15
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
[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 makes when hungry; hence that of Horacef784; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people; one that rules over them in a tyrannical manner, sadly oppresses them, takes away the little from them they have, which is very cruel and barbarous; when he ought to protect and defend them, against whom they cannot stand, and whom they dare not resist; and who therefore must be as terrible to them, being as cruel and voracious as the above animals. Tyrants are frequently compared to lions, (<240407>Jeremiah 4:7 50:17 <550417>2 Timothy 4:17); and the man of sin, the wicked ruler and great oppressor of God’s poor people, is compared to both; his feet are as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion, (<661302>Revelation 13:2).
How to use this source
This excerpt is attributed to its named commentary. It is included as a historical study resource and should be evaluated in light of Scripture and other relevant evidence.
