John Gill Commentary Proverbs 28:15

"[As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, [So is] a wicked ruler over a poor people." — Proverbs 28:15 (ASV)

[As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear
Which are both terrible; the lion that roars for want of food, or when it is over its prey; and the bear, when it runs from place to place in quest of provision, being "hungry [and very] desirous" of food, has a keen appetite, as some think the word ^F12 signifies. The Targum and Jarchi take it to be expressive of the cry and roaring it makes at such a time, as well as the lion; see (Isaiah 59:11) ; so the Tigurine version.

"Roaring" is the proper epithet of a lion, and is frequently given it in Scripture, and in other writers ^F13 ; and the bear, it is to have its name, in the Oriental language, from the growling and murmuring noise it makes when hungry; hence that of Horace ^F14 ; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people ;
one that rules over them in a tyrannical manner, sadly oppresses them, takes away the little from them they have, which is very cruel and barbarous; when he ought to protect and defend them, against whom they cannot stand, and whom they dare not resist; and who therefore must be as terrible to them, being as cruel and voracious as the above animals.

Tyrants are frequently compared to lions, (Jeremiah 4:7) (50:17) (2 Timothy 4:17) ; and the man of sin, the wicked ruler and great oppressor of God's poor people, is compared to both; his feet are as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion, (Revelation 13:2) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F12: (qqwv) "avidus", Pagninus, Montanus; "famelicus", Castalio, Schultens; "esuriens", V. L. Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Bochart; "adpetens", Michaelis.
• F13: "Leo fremit", Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 16. "Spumat aper, fluit unda, fremit leo, sibilat anguis"; Licentius de Protheo.
• F14: "Nec vespertinus circumgemit ursus ovile", Epod. Ode 16. v. 51.