Proverbs 28:15

28:15 Like 1  a roaring lion or a roving bear, 2 

so is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 3 

Proverbs 29:26

29:26 Many people seek the face 4  of a ruler,

but it is from the Lord that one receives justice. 5 

1 tn The term “like” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity and smoothness.

2 sn The comparison uses animals that are powerful, terrifying, insensitive, and in search of prey. Because political tyrants are like this, animal imagery of this sort is also used in Dan 7:1-8 for the series of ruthless world powers.

3 sn A poor nation under the control of political tyrants who are dangerous and destructive is helpless. The people of that nation will crumble under them because they cannot meet their demands and are of no use to them.

4 sn The idiom seek the face means to try to obtain favor from someone. According to the proverb, many people assume that true justice depends on the disposition of some earthly ruler.

5 tn Heb “but from the Lord [is] justice of a man.” The last part uses the construct state followed by the genitive, which here shows the advantage – it is justice for the person. The implication of the matter is that people should seek the Lord’s favor (rather than a human ruler’s) if they want true justice.