John Gill Commentary Proverbs 19:7

"All the brethren of the poor do hate him: How much more do his friends go far from him! He pursueth [them with] words, [but] they are gone." — Proverbs 19:7 (ASV)

All the brethren of the poor do hate him They despise him on account of his poverty; they neglect him, and do not take care of him; they reckon him a reproach to them, and do not choose to own him; all of which may be interpreted as hatred of him; how much more do his friends go far from him ? or "his friend", every one of his friends; or "his neighbour" ^F12 : for if his brethren, who are his own flesh and blood, show so much disrespect to him; much more will those who are only his neighbours, or were in friendship with him while in prosperity; these will stand at a distance from him, and not come near him, now he is poor and in distress; see (Job 19:13Job 19:14) ;

he pursues [them with] words; [yet] they are wanting [to him] ; or, "they [are] not" ^F13 ; he presses them with earnest entreaties to relieve him; he urges their own words and promises, and fetches arguments from them, and uses them as far as they will go; but all signifies nothing; his own words and petitions are to no purpose; and their words and promises are all smoke and vapour, vain and empty.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F12: (wherm) "amicus ejus", Vatablus; "ominis amicus", Cocceius; i.e. "quisque amicorum ejus", Michaelis.
• F13: (hmh al) "non sunt ii", Junius & Tremillius; "et non sunt, Mercerus.