Proverbs 18:23 (BSB)

The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.

From Proverbs 18. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 18:23

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 18:23: Note, 1. Poverty, though many inconveniences to the body attend it, has often a good effect upon the spirit, for it makes men humble and submissive, and mortifies their pride. It teaches them to use entreaties. When necessity forces men to beg it tells them they must not prescribe or demand, but take what is given them and be thankful.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 18:23: The poor useth entreaties,.... Or "supplications" (a); he is an humble supplicant to others for favours he asks in a submissive and lowly manner; he does not demand anything, nor prescribe what shall be done for him, but modestly tells his case, and submits it; so such who are poor in spirit are humble supplicants at the throne of grace; but the rich answereth roughly...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 18:23: the rich . . . roughly--He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 18:23: Pro 18:23 23 The poor uttereth suppliant entreaties; And the rich answereth rudenesses. The oriental proverbial poetry furnishes many parallels to this. It delights in the description of the contrast between a suppliant poor man and the proud and avaricious rich man; vid., e.g., Samachschari’s Goldene Halsbänder, No. 58. תּחנוּנים, according to its meaning, refers to the Hithpa. התחנּן, misericordiam alicujus pro se imploravit; cf.