KJV ORIGINAL
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Rich people have power over poor people, and anyone who borrows money becomes like a servant to the person who lent it to them.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is describing how money creates power relationships—those who have it control those who need it.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel's agricultural society, debt often led to serious consequences including slavery or losing family land. People frequently borrowed during hard times like famines or crop failures, and wealthy landowners or merchants would gain significant control over debtors' lives. This proverb reflects the harsh economic realities Solomon observed in his kingdom.
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