Amplified Bible
Proverbs 29:4
4The king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it.
Proverbs 29:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
- New International Version (NIV)By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.
- English Standard Version (ESV)By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
Context of Proverbs 29:4
2When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice; But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh. 3A man who loves [skillful and godly] wisdom makes his father joyful, But he who associates with prostitutes wastes his wealth. The king establishes (stabilizes) the land by justice, But a man who takes bribes overthrows it. 5A man who flatters his neighbor [with smooth words intending to do harm] Is spreading a net for his own feet. 6By his wicked plan an evil man is trapped, But the righteous man sings and rejoices [for his plan brings good things to him].
Read all of Proverbs 29Proverbs 29:4 word by word
מֶ֗לֶךְ בְּ֭מִשְׁפָּט יַעֲמִ֣יד אָ֑רֶץ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּרוּמ֣וֹת יֶֽהֶרְסֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 29:4
- Proverbs 29:14If a king faithfully and truthfully judges the poor, His throne shall be established forever.
- 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 20:8A [discerning] king who sits on the throne of judgment Sifts all evil [like chaff] with his eyes [and cannot be easily fooled].
- 1 Samuel 13:13Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for [if you had obeyed] the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
- 2 Samuel 8:15So David reigned over all Israel, and continued to administer justice and righteousness for all his people.
- 1 Kings 2:12Then Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.
- Psalms 89:14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.
- 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).
- Isaiah 9:7There shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, [He shall rule] on the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From that time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
- Isaiah 49:8This is what the Lord says, “In a favorable time I have answered You, And in a day of salvation I have helped You; And I will keep watch over You and give You for a covenant of the people, To restore the land [from its present state of ruin] and to apportion and give as inheritances the deserted hereditary lands,
- 2 Kings 15:18He did evil in the sight of the Lord; for all his days he did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin.
- Jeremiah 22:13“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who builds his house by [acts of] unrighteousness And his upper chambers by injustice, Who uses his neighbor’s service without pay And does not give him wages [for his work],
- Daniel 11:20“Then in his place one (his eldest son, Seleucus IV Philopator) will arise who will send an oppressor through the Jewel of his kingdom; yet within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger nor in battle.
- Micah 7:3Concerning evil, both of their hands pursue it and do it diligently and thoroughly; The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe, And a great man speaks the [evil] desire of his soul. So they twist the course of justice between them.
Commentaries on Proverbs 29:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4He that receiveth gifts - This was notoriously the case in this kingdom, before the passing of the Magna Charta, or great charter of liberties. Hence that article in it, Nulli vendemus justitiam; "We will not sell justice to any." I have met with cases in our ancient records where, in order to get his right, a man was obliged almost to ruin himself in presents to the king, queen, and their favourites, to get the case decided in his favor.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 The Lord Jesus is the King who will minister true judgment to the people.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4A fair king protects the rights of others. A ruler who takes bribes uses his position for personal benefit (see also Proverbs 17:23; 22:16; 28:21).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. by judgment--that is, righteous decisions, opposed to those procured by gifts (compare Pr 28:21), by which good government is perverted. land--for nation.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 29:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 29
- 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
Amplified Bible — © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
Commentaries