Matthew Poole and continuators on Proverbs 19:7

7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him , how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words , yet they are wanting to him .

His nearest and dearest Relations, who are oft called Brethren in Scripture, by a common Synecdoche.

i. e. Despise and shun him, as men do any thing which they hate, and as the following words explain it.

His former companions, who in his prosperity professed friendship to him.

Earnestly imploring their pity. Or, he urgeth (Heb. pursueth) their words, i. e. alledgeth their former promises, and professions of Friendship. Or, without any supplement, he seeketh words, as the Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, Eccles. 12. 10. wherewith he might prevail or move them to pity.

Heb. they are not, either 1. His Friends are not, to wit, what they pretended to be, friends to him. Or 2. Their words are vain, and without effect, there is no reality in them.

Marginal references: Ch. 14. 20.