Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 14:28
28A large population is a king’s splendor, but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation.
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 fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge. 27The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death. A large population is a king’s splendor, but a shortage of people is a ruler’s devastation. 29A patient person shows great understanding, but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness. 30A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is 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 they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.
- 1 Kings 4:20Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea; they were eating, drinking, and rejoicing.
- 1 Kings 20:27The Israelites mobilized, gathered supplies, and went to fight them. The Israelites camped in front of them like two little flocks of goats, while the Arameans filled the landscape.
- 2 Kings 10:32In those days the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory
- 2 Kings 13:7Jehoahaz did not have an army left, except for fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, because the king of Aram had destroyed them, making them like dust at threshing.
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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