What Does Proverbs 28:15 Mean in the King James?
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse exposes a ruler’s authority as predatory when the people beneath it are already vulnerable.
THE MEANING
When rule bears down on people with little means or protection, power feels like a predator above them: loud, roaming, dangerous. The verse names the danger in the relationship itself, where authority consumes instead of sheltering.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that a title or office guarantees protection: a ruler can become the danger facing the people.
THE ROOT
דָּל
dal
GROWS FROM
דלל
dalal
To be low, hang down, or become weak.
English “poor” can sound like a matter of money alone. Dal also carries lowliness and weakness, so the ruler is measured by what power does to people who are already vulnerable.
ALSO GROWS
dal: A person in a low or vulnerable condition.
דַל
The verse places the ruler above people who have little power to defend themselves.
dalal: To be brought low or diminished.
דָּלַל
This branch sharpens the danger: predatory rule bears down on people already exposed to loss and weakness.
THE PATTERN
When authority bears down on exposed people without justice, it takes the form of predation.
He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.THE THREAD
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.Both verses use דָּל (dal) for “the poor.” Here the ruler is a predator over the vulnerable; there, a king’s throne stands through faithful judgment of them.
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