English Standard Version
Proverbs 29:12
12If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
Proverbs 29:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
- New International Version (NIV)If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
- New King James Version (NKJV)If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.
- New Living Translation (NLT)If a ruler pays attention to liars, all his advisers will be wicked.
Context of Proverbs 29:12
10Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright. 11A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked. 13The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the Lord gives light to the eyes of both. 14If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
Read all of Proverbs 29Proverbs 29:12 word by word
מֹ֭שֵׁל מַקְשִׁ֣יב עַל־דְּבַר־שָׁ֑קֶר כָּֽל־מְשָׁרְתָ֥יו רְשָׁעִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 29:12
- Proverbs 20:8A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.
- Proverbs 25:23The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
- 1 Samuel 22:8that all of you have conspired against me? No one discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day."
- 1 Samuel 23:19Then the Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah, saying, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hachilah, which is south of Jeshimon?
- 2 Samuel 3:7Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?"
- 2 Samuel 4:5Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest.
- 1 Kings 21:11And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them,
- 2 Kings 10:6Then he wrote to them a second letter, saying, "If you are on my side, and if you are ready to obey me, take the heads of your master's sons and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow at this time." Now the king's sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were bringing them up.
- Psalms 52:2Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
- Psalms 101:5Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
Commentaries on Proverbs 29:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12If a ruler hearken to lies - Wherever the system of espionage is permitted to prevail, there the system of falsity is established; for he who is capable of being a spy and informer, is not only capable of telling and swearing lies, but also of cutting his king's or even his father's throat. I have seen cases, where the same spy received pay from both parties, and deceived both.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12All his servants are wicked - They know what will please, and they become informers and backbiters.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12Verse 12 One who loves flatterers, and hearkens to slanderers, causes his servants to become liars and false accusers.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. His servants imitate him.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 29:12
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries