Proverbs 28:15
New International Version
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

New Living Translation
A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.

English Standard Version
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Berean Standard Bible
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

King James Bible
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

New King James Version
Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people.

New American Standard Bible
Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

NASB 1995
Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

NASB 1977
Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Legacy Standard Bible
Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Amplified Bible
Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Christian Standard Bible
A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.

American Standard Version
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Contemporary English Version
A ruler who mistreats the poor is like a roaring lion or a bear hunting for food.

English Revised Version
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[Like] a roaring lion and a charging bear, [so] a wicked ruler is a threat to poor people.

Good News Translation
Poor people are helpless against a wicked ruler; he is as dangerous as a growling lion or a prowling bear.

International Standard Version
A roaring lion and a charging bear— that's what a wicked tyrant is over poor people.

Majority Standard Bible
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people.

NET Bible
Like a roaring lion or a roving bear, so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

New Heart English Bible
As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

Webster's Bible Translation
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

World English Bible
As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, "" [Is] the wicked ruler over a poor people.

Young's Literal Translation
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, Is the wicked ruler over a poor people.

Smith's Literal Translation
A roaring lion and a greedy bear the unjust one ruling over a poor people.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.

Catholic Public Domain Version
An impious leader over a poor people is like a roaring lion and a hungry bear.

New American Bible
A roaring lion or a ravenous bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

New Revised Standard Version
Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As a roaring lion and a raging bear, so is a wicked ruler over the poor.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The lion roars and the bear has given a sound because an evil one rules over poor people.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As a roaring lion, and a ravenous bear; So is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf is he, who, being poor, rules over a poor nation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Boldness of the Righteous
14Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 15Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. 16A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.

Zephaniah 3:3
Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning.

Isaiah 56:11
Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:

Jeremiah 5:6
Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious acts are many, and their unfaithful deeds are numerous.

Micah 3:3
You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”

Daniel 7:7
After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns.

Isaiah 10:13-14
For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. / My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’”

Jeremiah 23:1-2
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

John 10:12
The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.

Acts 20:29
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Revelation 13:2
The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

Revelation 17:12-13
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.

Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.


Treasury of Scripture

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

a roaring

Proverbs 20:2
The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

Hosea 5:11
Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

a ranging

Proverbs 17:12
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

2 Kings 2:24
And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

Hosea 13:8
I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

so

Exodus 1:14-16,22
And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour…

1 Samuel 22:17-19
And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD…

2 Kings 15:16
Then Menahem smote Tiphsah, and all that were therein, and the coasts thereof from Tirzah: because they opened not to him, therefore he smote it; and all the women therein that were with child he ripped up.

Jump to Previous
Bear Charging Evil Growling Helpless Lion Poor Ravenous Roaring Ruler Ruling Rushing Wandering Wicked
Jump to Next
Bear Charging Evil Growling Helpless Lion Poor Ravenous Roaring Ruler Ruling Rushing Wandering Wicked
Proverbs 28
1. general observations of impiety and integrity














Like a roaring lion
The imagery of a roaring lion is often used in Scripture to depict power, ferocity, and danger. In biblical times, lions were known to inhabit the regions of the Near East, and their roar was a symbol of impending threat. This metaphor is used to describe the nature of a wicked ruler, suggesting that such a leader instills fear and terror among the people. The lion's roar can also be seen as a symbol of Satan's tactics, as described in 1 Peter 5:8, where the devil is likened to a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.

or a charging bear
Bears, like lions, were part of the wildlife in ancient Israel and were known for their strength and aggression, especially when provoked or protecting their young. The comparison to a charging bear emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming force that a wicked ruler can exert. This imagery is used to convey the idea of a ruler who is unpredictable and dangerous, capable of causing great harm without warning. The bear's charge can be likened to the suddenness of judgment or calamity, as seen in other biblical passages such as Hosea 13:8.

is a wicked ruler
The term "wicked ruler" refers to a leader who acts unjustly, oppresses the people, and governs with selfish motives. In the biblical context, rulers were expected to uphold justice and righteousness, as seen in the examples of King David and King Solomon. However, wicked rulers, like those described in the books of Kings and Chronicles, often led the nation into idolatry and moral decay. The Bible frequently warns against such leaders, highlighting the importance of godly leadership that aligns with divine principles.

over a helpless people
The phrase "helpless people" indicates a populace that is vulnerable and unable to defend itself against the tyranny of a wicked ruler. In ancient times, the common people often had little power or recourse against oppressive governance. This vulnerability is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God is portrayed as the defender of the weak and the oppressed, as seen in Psalms 82:3-4. The helplessness of the people underscores the need for righteous leadership and divine intervention to bring justice and deliverance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Roaring Lion
In biblical literature, lions often symbolize power, ferocity, and danger. A roaring lion represents a threat that is both imminent and terrifying.

2. Charging Bear
Bears are known for their strength and unpredictability. A charging bear signifies sudden and overwhelming danger.

3. Wicked Ruler
This refers to a leader who is morally corrupt and unjust, using their power to oppress rather than to serve.

4. Helpless People
These are individuals or communities who lack the means to defend themselves against oppression, often suffering under unjust leadership.
Teaching Points
The Nature of Wicked Leadership
Wicked rulers are compared to dangerous animals, emphasizing the threat they pose to society. This highlights the importance of righteous leadership.

The Vulnerability of the Helpless
The verse underscores the plight of those who are defenseless, reminding believers of their duty to protect and advocate for the vulnerable.

The Call for Righteous Governance
Believers are encouraged to pray for and support leaders who govern justly and to hold accountable those who do not.

Spiritual Vigilance
Just as one would be cautious of a lion or bear, Christians are called to be spiritually vigilant against the influences of wickedness in leadership.(15) A ranging bear--i.e., wandering hungrily in great want of food.

Over the poor people--i.e., a people too weak to resist him, over whom he can tyrannise without fear.

Verse 15. - A wicked ruler over the poor people; a people weak and resourceless. To such a powerful tyrant is as fatal as a roaring lion or a hungry bear prowling in quest of food. The prophets compare evil rulers to ravenous lions (see Jeremiah 4:7; Ezekiel 19:6). They are like lions in strength and cruelty, like bears in craft and ferocity. Septuagint, "A hungry lion and a thirsty wolf is he, who, being poor, rules over an indigent nation." The poverty of the subjects embitters the conduct of the ruler.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Like a roaring
נֹ֭הֵם (nō·hêm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5098: To growl, groan

lion
אֲרִי־ (’ă·rî-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 738: A lion

or a charging
שׁוֹקֵ֑ק (šō·w·qêq)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8264: To course, to seek greedily

bear
וְדֹ֣ב (wə·ḏōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1677: The bear

is a wicked
רָ֝שָׁ֗ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

ruler
מֹשֵׁ֥ל (mō·šêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign

over
עַ֣ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a helpless
דָּֽל׃ (dāl)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1800: Dangling, weak, thin

people.
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock


Links
Proverbs 28:15 NIV
Proverbs 28:15 NLT
Proverbs 28:15 ESV
Proverbs 28:15 NASB
Proverbs 28:15 KJV

Proverbs 28:15 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 28:15 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 28:15 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 28:15 French Bible
Proverbs 28:15 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 28:15 As a roaring lion or a charging (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 28:14
Top of Page
Top of Page