Amplified Bible
Proverbs 14:28
28In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in a lack of people is a [pretentious] prince’s ruin.
Proverbs 14:28 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
- New International Version (NIV)A large population is a king’s glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.
- English Standard Version (ESV)In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.
- New King James Version (NKJV)In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.
Context of Proverbs 14:28
26In the [reverent] fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will [always] have a place of refuge. 27The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that leads to obedience and worship] is a fountain of life, So that one may avoid the snares of death. In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in a lack of people is a [pretentious] prince’s ruin. 29He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control], But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see]. 30A calm and peaceful and tranquil heart is life and health to the body, But passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones.
Read all of Proverbs 14Proverbs 14:28 word by word
בְּרָב־עָ֥ם הַדְרַת־מֶ֑לֶךְ וּבְאֶ֥פֶס לְ֝אֹ֗ם מְחִתַּ֥ת רָזֽוֹן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 14:28
- Exodus 1:12But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more they multiplied and expanded, so that the Egyptians dreaded and were exasperated by the Israelites.
- 1 Kings 4:20[The people of] Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is in abundance by the sea; they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
- 1 Kings 20:27The sons of Israel were counted and given provisions, and they went to meet them. The Israelites camped before the enemy like two little flocks of goats [with everything against them, except God], and the Arameans filled the country.
- 2 Kings 10:32So in those days the Lord began to cut off portions of Israel; Hazael [of Aram] defeated them throughout the territory of Israel:
- 2 Kings 13:7For he left to Jehoahaz [king of Israel] an army of no more than fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and 10,000 footmen, for the king of Aram (Ben-hadad) had destroyed them and made them like dust to be trampled.
Commentaries on Proverbs 14:28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28In the multitude of people - It is the interest of every state to promote marriage by every means that is just and prudent; and to discourage, disgrace, and debase celibacy; to render bachelors incapable, after a given age, of all public employments: and to banish nunneries and monasteries from all parts of their dominions; - they have ever, from their invention, contributed more to vice than virtue; and are positively point blank against the law of God.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28A protest against the false ideal of national greatness to which Eastern kings, for the most part, have bowed down. Not conquest, or pomp, or gorgeous array, but a happy and numerous people form the true glory of a king. The word translated “prince” is of doubtful meaning; but the translation is supported by the Septuagint, Vulg, and most commentators.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 28Verse 28 Let all that wish well to the kingdom of Christ, do what they can, that many may be added to his church.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 28A king's success is shown by the well-being and growth of the people, not by wealth or military victory.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2828. The teaching of a true political economy.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 14:28
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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