Przyczyny starotestamentalnego osądu bogaczy

Abstract

The Old Testament sharply criticized rich people. It was the rich who regularly broke the basic rules of social life, namely the principle of social equality, the principle of Israel’s classless society and numerous laws protecting the poor, widows and orphans. As a consequence, their actions compromised the foundations of God’s Covenant with Israel and, what is more, led to its breakdown. If it had not been for the determined and highly critical attitude of the Prophets, the well-off would have certainly fulfilled their intention. This article examines the social sins of the rich and the Prophets’ determined attitude towards those sins. For the sake of clarity the paper is divided into three parts. The first presents rich people’s sins against the principle of social equality, the second – those against Israel’s classless society, and the third – sins against the poor, widows and orphans.