Proverbs 28:16 (BSB)

A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days.

From Proverbs 28. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 28:16

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 28:16: Two things are here intimated to be the causes of the mal-administration of princes: - 1. The love of money, that root of all evil; for hating covetousness here stands opposed to oppression, according to Moses's character of good magistrates, men fearing God and hating covetousness (Exo 18:21), not only not being covetous, but hating it, and shaking the hands from the holding of bribes.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 28:16: The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor,.... Or, "much in oppressions" (o); he multiplies them, and abounds in them; he distresses his subjects in a variety of ways and methods he uses to extort money from them by which he shows his want of understanding: he is a wise prince that uses gentle methods, and gains the affections of his people, and...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 28:16: The prince . . . understanding--that is, He does not perceive that oppression jeopards his success. Covetousness often produces oppression, hence the contrast.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 28:16: Pro 28:16 Another proverb of the king: O prince devoid of understanding and rich in oppression! He that hateth unrighteous gain continueth long. The old interpreters from the lxx interpret מעשׁקּות רבו as pred. (as also Fleischer: princeps qui intelligentiae habet parum idem oppressionis exercet multum); but why did not the author use the word הוּא or והוּא instead of this ambiguous inconvenient ו?