New King James Version
Proverbs 29:4
4The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
Proverbs 29:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
- New International Version (NIV)By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.
- English Standard Version (ESV)By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it.
Context of Proverbs 29:4
2When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. 3Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth. The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it. 5A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet. 6By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.
Read all of Proverbs 29Proverbs 29:4 word by word
מֶ֗לֶךְ בְּ֭מִשְׁפָּט יַעֲמִ֣יד אָ֑רֶץ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּרוּמ֣וֹת יֶֽהֶרְסֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 29:4
- Proverbs 29:14The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.
- Proverbs 16:12It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.
- Proverbs 20:8A king who sits on the throne of judgment Scatters all evil with his eyes.
- 1 Samuel 13:13And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
- 2 Samuel 8:15So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people.
- 1 Kings 2:12Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established.
- Psalms 89:14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.
- Psalms 99:4The King’s strength also loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
- Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
- Isaiah 49:8Thus says the Lord: “In an acceptable time I have heard You, And in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You As a covenant to the people, To restore the earth, To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages;
- 2 Kings 15:18And he did evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin.
- Jeremiah 22:13“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness And his chambers by injustice, Who uses his neighbor’s service without wages And gives him nothing for his work,
- Daniel 11:20“There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle.
- Micah 7:3That they may successfully do evil with both hands— The prince asks for gifts, The judge seeks a bribe, And the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together.
Commentaries on Proverbs 29:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4He that receiveth gifts - This was notoriously the case in this kingdom, before the passing of the Magna Charta, or great charter of liberties. Hence that article in it, Nulli vendemus justitiam; "We will not sell justice to any." I have met with cases in our ancient records where, in order to get his right, a man was obliged almost to ruin himself in presents to the king, queen, and their favourites, to get the case decided in his favor.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 The Lord Jesus is the King who will minister true judgment to the people.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4A fair king protects the rights of others. A ruler who takes bribes uses his position for personal benefit (see also Proverbs 17:23; 22:16; 28:21).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. by judgment--that is, righteous decisions, opposed to those procured by gifts (compare Pr 28:21), by which good government is perverted. land--for nation.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 29:4
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries