Many consider chapters 28 and 29 to be a collection separate from chapters 25–27. In contrast to the latter, which has many groupings, the style here returns to the (apparently) discrete sayings of earlier chapters (e.g., chapters 10–15). Antithetic sayings are the most frequent. See comment on 29:27.

28:1 Antithetic and chiastic. The wicked man flees, not merely because of a bad conscience but because of some kind of judgment to come. In contrast, the righteous have nothing to fear.

28:2 Antithetic. The implication of verse 2a is that rebellion and instability is marked by many who vie for supremacy. The MT can also be translated: “because of the wrongdoing of the country its leaders will be many.” The translation of verse 2b is very uncertain and many translations have been proposed (s…