Proverbs 19:4 - Exposition

Wealth maketh many friends ( Proverbs 19:6 , Proverbs 19:7 ; Proverbs 14:20 ). A Greek gnome expresses the same truth—

ἐὰν δ ἔχωμεν χρήμαθ ἕξομεν φίλους .

The poor is separated from his neighbour. But it is better to make the act of separation emanate from the friend (as the Hebrew allows), and to render, with the Revised Version, The friend of the poor separateth himself from him. The word for "poor" is here dal, which means "feeble," "languid;" so Proverbs 19:17 ; and the came word ( rea ) , "friend" or "neighbor," is used in both clauses. The idea of man's selfishness is carried on in Proverbs 19:6 and Proverbs 19:7 . The Law of Moses had tried to counteract it ( Deuteronomy 15:7 , etc.), but it was Christianity that introduced the practical realization of the law of love, and the honouring of the poor as members of Christ. Septuagint, "But the poor is deserted even by his whilom friend."