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Proverbs 1:19
Soare the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Proverbs 11:19,29
As righteousnesstendeth to life: so he that pursueth evilpursueth it to his own death…

Proverbs 20:21
An inheritancemay be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

but

Proverbs 28:16
The prince that wanteth understandingis also a great oppressor:but he that hateth covetousness shall prolonghis days.

Proverbs 29:4
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

Exodus 18:21
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and placesuch over them,to be rulers of thousands,and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

brings trouble on his household
The consequences of greed extend beyond the individual to affect their entire household. In ancient Israel, the family unit was central to social and economic life, and the actions of one member could impact the whole family. This phrase suggests that unethical behavior can lead to familial strife, financial ruin, or divine judgment. The story of Achan inJoshua 7 illustrates this principle, where his covetousness led to disaster for his family and the nation. The biblical narrative often emphasizes that sin has communal repercussions, not just personal ones.

but he who hates bribes
Rejecting bribes is a mark of integrity and righteousness. In the ancient Near East, bribery was a common practice that undermined justice and fairness. The Bible frequently condemns bribery, as seen inExodus 23:8 andDeuteronomy 16:19, where it is prohibited because it perverts justice and blinds the eyes of the wise. This phrase highlights the importance of maintaining moral integrity and upholding justice, which are key themes throughout Scripture.

will live
This promise of life can be understood both in a literal and spiritual sense. Literally, it suggests that those who act with integrity and reject corruption will avoid the pitfalls and dangers associated with unethical behavior. Spiritually, it aligns with the biblical teaching that righteousness leads to life, as seen inProverbs 11:19. This life is not only physical but also encompasses spiritual well-being and eternal life, as promised through faithfulness to God's commandments. The connection to life echoes the broader biblical narrative that obedience to God and His principles leads to true life and blessing.

• “He who is greedy for unjust gain…” (Proverbs 15:27a) speaks of a heart that craves profit without regard to righteousness.

• Scripture treats greed as idolatry (cf.Colossians 3:5) and warns that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10).

• Unjust gain covers every shortcut—lying, cheating, exploiting, manipulating—that elevates personal profit over God-honoring conduct (cf.Proverbs 10:2; 28:8).

• Sin seldom stays private; its ripple effects disturb everyone under the same roof. Achan’s hidden plunder cost his family their lives (Joshua 7:1–26).

• When greed drives decisions, resources get squandered, trust erodes, and relational strife multiplies (cf.Proverbs 11:29, “He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind”).

• The verse underscores personal responsibility: leading a family means shielding them from the fallout of unrighteous choices, not exposing them to it.

• The contrast pivots from greedy pursuit to active rejection: “he who hates bribes.” Hatred here implies decisive, consistent refusal (cf.Exodus 18:21, describing leaders who “hate dishonest gain”).

• Bribery perverts justice (Deuteronomy 16:19) and silences truth (Isaiah 1:23). To hate it is to love integrity, safeguarding both personal reputation and the community’s well-being.

• Joseph fled Potiphar’s wife’s advances, illustrating how shunning an illicit offer can preserve one’s calling and testimony (Genesis 39:7–12).

• “Will live” means more than survival; it promises flourishing under God’s favor. Righteous living aligns with the Lord’s life-giving order (Proverbs 3:1–2).

•Psalm 15 portrays the one who “takes no bribe” as dwelling securely with God. Obedience produces spiritual vitality, freedom from guilt, and often tangible blessing (cf.Proverbs 11:19).

• Eternally, rejecting corruption evidences a regenerate heart destined for everlasting life (John 5:24).

Greed that grabs what is not rightfully earned drags an entire household into chaos, while a heart that loathes corrupt gain rests under God’s life-giving protection. Pursue honesty, refuse every shady shortcut, and enjoy the peace God promises to those who walk in integrity.

Troubleth his own house.--The word used of Achan (Joshua 7:25).

Gifts.--Bribes taken by a judge. (Ecclesiastes 7:7.)

Κέρδη πομηρὰ ζημίαν ἀεὶ φέρει And again -

Τὰ δ αἰσχρὰ κέρδη συμφορὰς ἐργάζεται

"Riches ill won bring ruin in their train." An avaricious man troubles his house in another sense. He harasses his family by stingy economies and his domestics by overwork and underfeeding, deprives his household of all comfort, and loses the blessing of God upon a righteous use of earthly wealth. The word "troubleth" (akar, "to trouble") reminds one of the story of Achan, who, in his greed, appropriated some of the spoil of the banned city Jericho, and brought destruction upon himself and his family, when, in punishment of the crime, he and all his were stoned in the Valley of Achor (Joshua 7:25). So the covetousness of Gehazi caused the infliction of the penalty of leprosy upon himself and his children (2 Kings 5:27). Professor Plumptre ('Speaker's Commentary,'in loc.) notes that the Chaldee Targum paraphrases this clause, referring especially to lucre gained by unrighteous judgments, thus: "He who gathers the mammon of unrighteousness destroys his house;" and he suggests that Christ's use of that phrase (Luke 16:9) may have had some connection with this proverb through the version then popularly used in the Palestinian synagogues.He that hateth gifts shall live (comp.Ecclesiastes 7:7). Primarily this refers to the judge or magistrate who is incorruptible, and gives just judgment, and dispenses his patronage without fear or favour; he shall "prolong his days" (Proverbs 28:16), And in all cases a man free from covetousness, who takes no bribes to blind his eyes withal, who makes no unjust gains, shall pass a long and happy life undisturbed by care. We see here a hope of immortality, to which integrity leads. The LXX., with the view of making the two clauses more marked in antithesis, restricts the application thus: "The receiver of gifts destroyeth himself; but he who hateth the receiving of gifts liveth." The Vulgate and Septuagint, after this verse, introduce a distich which recurs inProverbs 16:6. The Septuagint transposes many of the verses at the end of this chapter and the beginning of the next.

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