Amplified Bible
Proverbs 20:8
8A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].
Proverbs 20:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
- New International Version (NIV)When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes.
Context of Proverbs 20:8
6Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness, But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man? 7The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs— How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow]. A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled]. 9Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?” 10Differing weights [one for buying and another for selling] and differing measures, Both of them are detestable and offensive to the Lord.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:8 word by word
מֶ֗לֶךְ יוֹשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסֵּא־דִ֑ין מְזָרֶ֖ה בְעֵינָ֣יו כָּל־רָֽע׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:8
- Proverbs 20:26A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good] And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].
- Proverbs 16:12It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly, For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).
- Proverbs 29:14If a king faithfully and truthfully judges the poor, His throne shall be established forever.
- 1 Samuel 23:3But David’s men said to him, “Listen, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the battle lines of the Philistines?”
- 2 Samuel 23:4Is like the morning light when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, When the fresh grass springs out of the earth Through sunshine after rain.’
- Psalms 72:4May he bring justice to the poor among the people, Save the children of the needy And crush the oppressor,
- Psalms 92:9For behold, Your enemies, O Lord, For behold, Your enemies will perish; All who do evil will be scattered.
- Psalms 99:4The strength of the King loves justice and righteous judgment; You have established fairness; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob (Israel).
- Psalms 101:6My eyes will be on the faithful (honorable) of the land, that they may dwell with me; He who walks blamelessly is the one who will minister to and serve me.
- Isaiah 32:1Behold, a King will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment - Kings should see to the administration of the laws, as well as of the state transactions, of their kingdom. In the British constitution there is a court for the king, called the King's Bench, where he should sit, and where he is always supposed to be sitting. The eyes - the presence, of the monarch in such a place, scatter evil - he sees into the case himself, and gives right judgment, for he can have no…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8Verse 8 If great men are good men, they may do much good, and prevent very much evil.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8The king should embody wisdom and fairness.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. As in Pr 14:35; 16:10, 15, this is the character of a good king, not of all kings.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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