He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

PROVERBS 28:27KJV
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Proverbs 28:27 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 28:27 mean?

Proverbs 28:27 contrasts two responses to people in need. The person who gives to the poor is assured of having enough, while the person who deliberately looks away can expect to be cursed by others.

“Shall not lack” presents generosity as a path to having enough, not as a promise of riches. The picture of hiding one’s eyes suggests choosing not to see a need that is there.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 28:27

  • “poor” — רָשׁ (rash): This word refers to someone who is poor or in need. The saying focuses on a person’s material hardship, rather than on poverty as a figure of speech.
  • “hideth” — עָלַם (ʿalam): This word can mean to hide or conceal. With “eyes,” the expression pictures someone shutting out what is in view.

Why Proverbs 28:27 matters

  • The saying puts giving and looking away side by side. That contrast makes the second response more than a failure to notice: “hideth his eyes” pictures a deliberate turning away.
  • The consequences differ in kind. “Shall not lack” concerns the giver’s own needs, while “many a curse” points to the strong condemnation faced by the person who refuses to see.

Where else these words appear

“curse” Hebrew H3994 · used in 5 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:20 The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
  • Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
  • Malachi 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

“lack” Hebrew H4270 · used in 13 verses

  • Deuteronomy 15:8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
  • Psalms 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
  • Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

“poor” Hebrew H7326 · used in 24 verses

  • 1 Samuel 18:23 And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son in law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?
  • Proverbs 13:7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
  • Proverbs 19:22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

“hideth” Hebrew H5956 · used in 27 verses

  • Leviticus 4:13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;
  • Deuteronomy 22:4 Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.
  • Psalms 26:4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.