New International Version
Proverbs 20:8
8When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence, distinguishing the bad from the good.
Context of Proverbs 20:8
6Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? 7The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them. When a king sits on his throne to judge, he winnows out all evil with his eyes. 9Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”? 10Differing weights and differing measures— the Lord detests them both.
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 winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them.
- Proverbs 16:12Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
- Proverbs 29:14If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.
- 1 Samuel 23:3But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”
- 2 Samuel 23:4he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’
- Psalms 72:4May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.
- Psalms 92:9For surely your enemies, Lord, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.
- Psalms 99:4The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
- Psalms 101:6My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.
- Isaiah 32:1See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with 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
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