All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
All the relatives of a poor person reject him - and his friends distance themselves from him even more. He tries to reach out to them with words, but they are nowhere to be found.
This verse observes the harsh reality that even family and friends often abandon someone when they become poor, leaving them isolated despite their attempts to maintain relationships.
📚 Historical Context
Proverbs is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, attributed largely to King Solomon, and it offers practical advice for navigating everyday life in ancient Israel. In that culture, poverty was often viewed as a sign of personal failure or divine disfavor, leading to social rejection by family and friends who prioritized wealth and status for survival and honor. This verse highlights the harsh reality of isolation for the poor, reflecting a society where material success deeply influenced relationships.
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