New English Translation
Proverbs 20:8
8A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes.
Proverbs 20:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
- New International Version (NIV)When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes.
Context of Proverbs 20:8
6Many people profess their loyalty, but a faithful person – who can find? 7The righteous person behaves in integrity; blessed are his children after him. A king sitting on the throne to judge separates out all evil with his eyes. 9Who can say, “I have kept my heart clean; I am pure from my sin”? 10Diverse weights and diverse measures – the Lord abhors both of them.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:8 word by word
מֶ֗לֶךְ יוֹשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסֵּא־דִ֑ין מְזָרֶ֖ה בְעֵינָ֣יו כָּל־רָֽע׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:8
- Proverbs 20:26A wise king separates out the wicked; he turns the threshing wheel over them.
- Proverbs 16:12Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness.
- Proverbs 29:14If a king judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever.
- 1 Samuel 23:3But David’s men said to him, “We are afraid while we are still here in Judah! What will it be like if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?”
- 2 Samuel 23:4is like the light of morning when the sun comes up, a morning in which there are no clouds. He is like the brightness after rain that produces grass from the earth.
- Psalms 72:4He will defend the oppressed among the people; he will deliver the children of the poor and crush the oppressor.
- Psalms 92:9Indeed, look at your enemies, O Lord! Indeed, look at how your enemies perish! All the evildoers are scattered!
- Psalms 99:4The king is strong; he loves justice. You ensure that legal decisions will be made fairly; you promote justice and equity in Jacob.
- Psalms 101:6I will favor the honest people of the land, and allow them to live with me. Those who walk in the way of integrity will attend me.
- Isaiah 32:1Look, a king will promote fairness; officials will promote justice.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment - Kings should see to the administration of the laws, as well as of the state transactions, of their kingdom. In the British constitution there is a court for the king, called the King's Bench, where he should sit, and where he is always supposed to be sitting. The eyes - the presence, of the monarch in such a place, scatter evil - he sees into the case himself, and gives right judgment, for he can have no…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8Verse 8 If great men are good men, they may do much good, and prevent very much evil.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8The king should embody wisdom and fairness.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. As in Pr 14:35; 16:10, 15, this is the character of a good king, not of all kings.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- 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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries