28:8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest 1
gathers it for someone who is gracious 2 to the needy.
28:27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack, 3
but whoever shuts his eyes to them 4 will receive 5 many curses. 6
1 tn Heb “by interest and increase” (so ASV; NASB “by interest and usury”; NAB “by interest and overcharge.” The two words seem to be synonyms; they probably form a nominal hendiadys, meaning “by increasing [exorbitant] interest.” The law prohibited making a commission or charging interest (Exod 22:25; Lev 25:36-37; Deut 23:20; Ps 15:5). If the poor needed help, the rich were to help them – but not charge them interest.
2 tn The term חוֹנֵן (khonen, “someone who shows favor”) is the active participle.
3 sn The generous individual will be rewarded. He will not lack nor miss what he has given away to the poor.
4 tn Heb “hides his eyes”; “to them” is supplied in the translation to indicate the link with the poor in the preceding line. Hiding or closing the eyes is a metonymy of cause or of adjunct, indicating a decision not to look on and thereby help the poor. It could also be taken as an implied comparison, i.e., not helping the poor is like closing the eyes to them.
5 tn The term “receives” is not in the Hebrew text but is implied, and is supplied in the translation.
6 sn The text does not specify the nature or the source of the curses. It is natural to think that they would be given by the poor who are being mistreated and ignored. Far from being praised for their contributions to society, selfish, stingy people will be reviled for their heartless indifference.