Bible Strands
Proverbs 28:21
To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The book of Proverbs addresses the people of Israel with practical wisdom instruction, placing this warning directly between verses about the consequences of greed and the illusion of wealth. The words — הַֽכֵּר (ha.ker) means to pay regard to, and פַּת לֶחֶם (pat lechem) translates literally to a piece of bread. The thread — The warning against partiality runs through Proverbs 18:5 and Proverbs 24:23, while Ezekiel 13:19 links profaning God to accepting handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. Why it lands — The text states that showing partiality is wrong and that a person will transgress for trivial gain, requiring readers to reject compromised judgment when offered immediate material advantage.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 18:5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
- Proverbs 24:23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
- Ezekiel 13:19 You have profaned Me among My people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to My people who would listen, you have killed those who should not have died and spared those who should not have lived.
- Exodus 23:2 You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.
- Exodus 23:8 Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
- Micah 3:5 This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:
- Micah 7:3 Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.
- Hosea 4:18 When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.
- Romans 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
- 2 Peter 2:3 In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.