Proverbs 11 14

Proverbs 11:14 kjv

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14 nkjv

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14 niv

For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

Proverbs 11:14 esv

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14 nlt

Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers.

Proverbs 11 14 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Pr 1:5A wise man will hear and increase learning...Wisdom for leadership
Pr 12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.Pride vs. seeking advice
Pr 15:22Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.Echoes Pr 11:14 on success
Pr 20:18Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.Importance of counsel in strategy
Pr 24:6For by wise counsel you will wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.Victory through good counsel
Ex 18:17-23Jethro advises Moses to delegate and seek out capable men.Delegation and distributed wisdom
Num 27:16-17God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man... who may lead.Need for appointed, Spirit-led leadership
Deut 17:14-20Laws for kings, including not relying solely on self-might.Restraints on autocratic rule
Judg 18:1-3Tribe of Dan seeks counsel before going to war.Seeking counsel before significant action
Isa 9:6...Wonderful Counselor...Christ as the ultimate Counselor
Isa 30:1"Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "who carry out a plan, but not mine, and make an alliance, but not of My Spirit..."Rejection of divine counsel
Jer 23:22If they had stood in My council...False prophets did not seek God's counsel
Job 12:13With Him are wisdom and might; He has counsel and understanding.God as the source of all counsel
Ps 33:10-11The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations... the counsel of the LORD stands forever.God's counsel triumphs human folly
Dan 4:27Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you; break off your sins...Humble counsel even to kings
Luke 14:28-30For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost...?Prudence in planning, implies seeking advice
Rom 12:3-8...having gifts differing according to the grace...Body of Christ, diverse gifts aiding common good
Eph 4:11-13And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets... perfecting the saints...God's gifts for building up, guiding
Acts 6:1-7Apostles delegate to deacons to resolve a dispute.Practical application of shared leadership
1 Cor 1:30But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom...Christ is our wisdom
Heb 4:16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace...Seeking divine counsel
Jas 1:5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God...God gives wisdom liberally

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 14 Meaning

Proverbs 11:14 declares that without wise and strategic leadership, a people or community will fail and collapse. Conversely, success, stability, and security are found in seeking and heeding the counsel of many wise advisors. It emphasizes the critical role of collective wisdom and diverse perspectives in effective governance and personal well-being.

Proverbs 11 14 Context

Proverbs 11 belongs to a collection of wisdom sayings (Proverbs 10-22) contrasting the righteous and the wicked, and the wise and the foolish, through antithetical parallelism. Each proverb typically offers a self-contained truth about living justly and wisely. Verse 14 specifically addresses the public or communal sphere, applying principles of sound judgment and leadership to the prosperity or downfall of a society or organization. Historically, ancient societies often faced the perils of poor leadership, tyranny, and internal strife. This proverb would have resonated as a warning against self-sufficient rulers and encouraged consultative decision-making for the well-being of the people, perhaps subtly critiquing the monarchic tendencies to consolidate power without accountability or external wisdom.

Proverbs 11 14 Word analysis

  • Where: (אֵין - ʾên) - Implies "without," "no," or "none existing." Points to an absence.
  • no: (אֵין - ʾên) - Reinforces the negation. Absence of.
  • counsel: (תַּחְבֻּלוֹת - takhlulôt) - This is a plural noun, derived from a root meaning "to be skilled," "to manage." It refers to wise guidance, skillful management, strategies, pilotage, or prudent governance, often implying strategic direction or masterly leadership rather than simple advice. It denotes intelligent foresight and purposeful plans. Its absence leads to failure.
  • is: (יִפֹּל - yippōl) - Verb "to fall," indicating collapse, ruin, or perishing. Not just stumbling, but a significant downfall.
  • the people: (עָם - ʿam) - Refers to a nation, a community, or a large group of people. This emphasizes the societal impact.
  • fall: (יִפֹּל - yippōl) - See above. The same verb reinforces the consequence of lack of counsel.
  • but: (וּבְרֹב - ūḇĕrōḇ) - A conjunction connecting the contrasting clause, highlighting the alternative and positive outcome.
  • in the multitude: (בְּרֹב - bĕrōḇ) - "In the abundance of," "in the greatness of," signifying not just many, but a plenitude or overwhelming number. It suggests that sufficient counsel requires a variety of sources.
  • of counselors: (יוֹעֵץ - yoʿēṣ) - Plural of "counselor," an adviser. These are individuals who give wise counsel, experts, or those with relevant experience and discernment.
  • there is: (יֵשׁ - yēš) - Indicates existence, affirming that "safety" is present.
  • safety: (תְּשׁוּעָה - tĕšūʿāh) - This significant Hebrew word translates to "salvation," "deliverance," "victory," "help," or "welfare." It implies not merely security but rescue from danger, or thriving and flourishing. In a biblical context, it often refers to God's salvation. Its use here suggests that wise human counsel leads to outcomes akin to divine deliverance from peril.

Words-group analysis:

  • Where no counsel is, the people fall: This phrase paints a vivid picture of catastrophe resulting from singular, arrogant, or ill-informed decision-making. "Counsel" here implies strategic direction and foresight, which, when absent, leads a community or organization into ruin, akin to a ship without a pilot navigating dangerous waters. It underlines the vulnerability of any collective entity lacking diverse, intelligent guidance.
  • but in the multitude of counselors there is safety: This directly contrasts the preceding clause, offering a solution and a promise. The "multitude" is key, indicating that diverse perspectives and numerous inputs provide a robust framework for decision-making. "Safety" (or salvation/deliverance) is the positive outcome, highlighting that collective wisdom is a pathway to success, stability, and avoiding pitfalls, leading to flourishing and protection.

Proverbs 11 14 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "counsel" (takhlulôt) is rare in the Bible, primarily appearing in Proverbs (1:5, 11:14, 20:18, 24:6), each time referring to skillful strategy or effective pilotage. This highlights a nuanced understanding of "counsel" beyond mere suggestion, implying expert guidance essential for navigating complex situations, much like a seasoned mariner piloting a vessel through a storm. The inclusion of "safety" (tĕšūʿāh), a word often associated with God's salvation, elevates the outcome of wise human counsel to something divinely approved, suggesting that proper decision-making processes align with God's will for order and flourishing. This proverb serves as a theological basis for community, church, and governmental leadership requiring diverse spiritual gifts and perspectives rather than relying on a single fallible individual.

Proverbs 11 14 Commentary

Proverbs 11:14 offers a timeless principle for leadership, governance, and personal decision-making. It’s a maxim warning against autocratic tendencies and praising the wisdom of collaborative effort. The "counsel" (Hebrew: takhlulôt) refers not just to advice, but to strategic direction, expert planning, and skillful navigation—like a helmsman skillfully steering a ship. Without this astute guidance, a people (or any endeavor) will inevitably "fall" into disarray, error, or destruction. The remedy is found in a "multitude of counselors." This doesn't suggest seeking advice from just anyone, but from an abundance of wise, diverse, and skilled individuals (yoʿēṣ), each bringing their unique perspective and experience. The resulting "safety" (tĕšūʿāh) means deliverance, preservation, and victory. It signifies a secure state achieved through collective wisdom, protecting from internal decay and external threats. This proverb underscores that true strength lies not in isolated power, but in shared insight, reminding us that humility to seek and receive counsel is foundational to true leadership and lasting success, echoing the truth that wisdom often resides within the collective body, reflecting the multifaceted wisdom of God Himself.