Proverbs 29:4

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 increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh. 3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance. The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it. 5A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps. 6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

Proverbs 29:4 word by word

מֶ֗לֶךְ בְּ֭מִשְׁפָּט יַעֲמִ֣יד אָ֑רֶץ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּרוּמ֣וֹת יֶֽהֶרְסֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear

• kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• justiceמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941
• landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776

Cross-references for Proverbs 29:4

• Proverbs 29:14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever.
• Proverbs 16:12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.
• Proverbs 20:8A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
• 1 Samuel 13:13And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of Jehovah thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would Jehovah have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
• 2 Samuel 8:15And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness unto all his people.
• 1 Kings 2:12And Solomon sat upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
• Psalms 89:14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne: Lovingkindness and truth go before thy face.
• Psalms 99:4The king’s strength also loveth justice; Thou dost establish equity; Thou executest justice and righteousness in Jacob.
• Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
• Isaiah 49:8Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages;
• 2 Kings 15:18And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin.
• Jeremiah 22:13Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by injustice; that useth his neighbor’s service without wages, and giveth him not his hire;
• Daniel 11:20Then shall stand up in his place one that shall cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the kingdom; but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
• Micah 7:3Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together.

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

• Bribery
• King
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Correct
• Delicately
• Flatter
• Hasty
• Rejoice
• Trust
• Uphold
• Gift
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of

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