Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 8:15
15It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law;
Proverbs 8:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
- New International Version (NIV)By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
- English Standard Version (ESV)By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;
- New King James Version (NKJV)By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.
Context of Proverbs 8:15
13To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. 14I possess good advice and sound wisdom; I have understanding and strength. It is by me that kings reign and rulers enact just law; 16by me, princes lead, as do nobles and all righteous judges. 17I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me.
Read all of Proverbs 8Proverbs 8:15 word by word
בִּ֭י מְלָכִ֣ים יִמְלֹ֑כוּ וְ֝רוֹזְנִ֗ים יְחֹ֣קְקוּ צֶֽדֶק׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 8:15
- 1 Samuel 9:17When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, “Here is the man I told you about; he will govern my people.”
- 1 Samuel 16:1The Lord said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected for myself a king from his sons.”
- 1 Chronicles 28:5And out of all my sons — for the Lord has given me many sons — he has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the Lord’s kingdom over Israel.
- Jeremiah 27:5“By my great strength and outstretched arm, I made the earth, and the people, and animals on the face of the earth. I give it to anyone I please.
- Daniel 2:21He changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
- Daniel 4:25You will be driven away from people to live with the wild animals. You will feed on grass like cattle and be drenched with dew from the sky for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants.
- Daniel 5:18Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty, greatness, glory, and majesty to your predecessor Nebuchadnezzar.
- Daniel 7:13I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him.
- Matthew 28:18Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
- Romans 13:1Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.
- Revelation 19:16And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
- 1 Kings 3:9So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
- 1 Kings 5:7When Hiram heard Solomon’s words, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord today! He has given David a wise son to be over this great people!”
- 1 Kings 10:9Blessed be the Lord your God! He delighted in you and put you on the throne of Israel, because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel. He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.”
- Psalms 72:1God, give your justice to the king and your righteousness to the king’s son.
- Psalms 99:4The mighty King loves justice. You have established fairness; you have administered justice and righteousness in Jacob.
Commentaries on Proverbs 8:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15By me kings reign - Every wise and prudent king is such through the influence of Divine wisdom. And just laws and their righteous administration come from this source. In this and the following verse five degrees of civil power and authority are mentioned. מלכים melachim, Kings. רזנים rozenim, Consuls. שרים sarim, Princes, Chiefs of the people. נדיבים nedibim, Nobles. And שפטים shophetim, Judges or Civil Magistrates All orders of government are from God…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15Not only the common life of common men, but the exercise of the highest sovereignty, must have this Wisdom as its ground. Compare with this passage Proverbs 8:15-21 the teaching of 1 Kings 3:5-14. The word rendered “princes” Proverbs 8:15 is different from that in Proverbs 8:16; the first might, perhaps, be rendered “rulers.”Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-21Verses 12-21 Wisdom, here is Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word, and Christ in the heart; not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. All prudence and skill are from the Lord. Through the redemption of Christ's precious blood, the riches of his grace abound in all wisdom and prudence. Man found out many inventions for ruin; God found one for our recovery. He hates pride and arrogance…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15-16The best rulers use wisdom to guide them (for example, 1 Kings 3:16–28).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-1615-16. of which a wisely conducted government is an example.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 8:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 8
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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