Proverbs on Deceiving Neighbors for Profit
The book of Proverbs contains numerous warnings against deceiving one's neighbors for personal gain. Proverbs 26:19 likens deceiving one's neighbor to a madman casting firebrands, arrows, and death, highlighting the destructive nature of such actions [5]. This theme is echoed throughout the biblical wisdom literature and prophetic writings, emphasizing the severe consequences of exploiting others for profit.
In Proverbs, deceiving one's neighbor is associated with wickedness and is considered a form of madness. Matthew Henry interprets Proverbs 26:18-19 as describing the mischievous nature of those who deceive their neighbors, comparing them to madmen who cast firebrands and arrows, causing harm and destruction [5]. Similarly, John Gill notes that deceiving one's neighbor involves telling lies, reporting false things, or cheating in trade and commerce, and then attempting to justify such actions as mere jests [4].
The consequences of deceiving one's neighbors are not limited to the immediate harm caused but also include divine judgment. According to Proverbs 1:19, "So are the ways of every one that is greedy for gain; it taketh away the life of the owners thereof" [8]. The Babylonian Talmud interprets this verse as indicating that robbing someone of even a small amount is considered as taking their life, emphasizing the gravity of exploiting others for profit [8].
The prophetic writings also condemn the practice of deceiving neighbors for gain. Jeremiah 9:5 describes a society where everyone deceives their neighbor and speaks lies, having taught their tongues to speak falsehoods [1]. John Gill's commentary on this verse highlights the pervasive nature of deceit in such a society, where individuals spare no effort in committing iniquity [9]. Similarly, Jeremiah 6:13 criticizes the religious leaders and people of Judah for practicing deceit and making profit through unlawful gain [2].
The book of Proverbs also highlights the social consequences of exploiting others. Proverbs 14:20 notes that the poor are often hated by their neighbors, while the rich have many friends [6]. John Gill's commentary on this verse explains that the poor are despised due to their poverty, while the rich are loved for their wealth [6]. Furthermore, Proverbs 14:21 warns that despising one's neighbor is a sin, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect [3, 7].
The Jewish tradition, as represented in the Babylonian Talmud, views exploiting others for profit as a serious offense. Rabbi Yoḥanan's statement in Bava Kamma 119a.13 underscores the severity of robbing someone, even of a small amount, comparing it to taking their life [8].
Sources
- Jeremiah “They will deceive everyone his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity. -- Jeremiah 9:5”
- Jeremiah “Jeremiah 6:13 (LEB) — “For from the smallest of them to the greatest of them, ⌞everyone⌟ makes profit for unlawful gain. And from the prophet to the priest, ⌞everyone⌟ practices deceit.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 14:21 (YLT) — Whoso is despising his neighbour sinneth, Whoso is favouring the humble, O his happiness.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 26:19: So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,.... By telling him a lie; or by reporting false things concerning him; or by cheating him in trade and commerce; or by taking his goods privately from him; and, when caught in either of these, and saith, Am not I in sport? do not be angry, I designed no hurt; it is all in jest, a mere joke: but, had he not been apprehended, it would have been in earnest, as he was. This is only an excuse, and as absurd an one as if a man should set fire to his neighbour's house and barns, or throw arrows at him, or strike him with any i”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 26:18: See here, 1. How mischievous those are that make no scruple of deceiving their neighbours; they are as madmen that cast firebrands, arrows, and death, so much hurt may they do by their deceits. They value themselves upon it as polite cunning men, but really they are as madmen. There is not a greater madness in the world than a wilful sin. It is not only the passionate furious man, but the malicious deceitful man, that is a madman; he does in effect cast fire-brands, arrows, and death; he does more mischief than he can imagine. Fraud and falsehood burn like fire”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 14:20: The poor is hated even of his own neighbour,.... As well as of strangers; that is, he is shy of him; he does not care to take any notice of him, or be friendly with him, lest he should be burdensome to him. Poverty brings a man into contempt and disgrace; the same man, in affluence and indigence, is respected or disrespected: this is true, as Gersom observes, of a man that is poor, whether in money or in knowledge, in his purse or in his understanding; but the rich hath many friends; or, "many are the lovers of the rich" (r): for the sake of their riches; either ”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 14:21: He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth,.... He that despiseth his neighbour in his heart, speaks slightly of him, overlooks him, is not friendly to him, will neither converse with him, nor relieve him in his necessity; for it seems to be understood of his poor neighbour; and so the Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "he that despiseth the poor"; that despises him for his poverty; because of his pedigree and education, and the low circumstances he is in; or on account of his weakness and incapacity, or any outward circumstance that attends him; such an one s”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Bava Kamma 119a.13: Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Anyone who robs another of an item worth one peruta is considered as though he takes his soul from him, as it is stated: “So are the ways of every one that is greedy for profit; it takes away the life of the owner thereof” (Proverbs 1:19). And it states: “And they shall consume your harvest, and your bread, they shall consume your sons and your daughters” (Jeremiah 5:17). Since they will consume the harvest and bread, it is as though they consume one’s children as well because there will be no food to feed them.”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 9:5: And they will deceive everyone his neighbour,.... In conversation, with lying words; and in trade and commerce, by art and tricking: and will not speak the truth; with respect to facts they report, or goods they sell: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; and become so accustomed to lying that they cannot do otherwise; it is as it were natural to them: and weary themselves to commit iniquity; spared no pains to come at it, nor any in it, and go on even to weariness; are more laborious and indefatigable in committing sin than good men are in doing good; w”