Proverbs 14:35 kjv

The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Proverbs 14:35 nkjv

The king's favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.

Proverbs 14:35 niv

A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

Proverbs 14:35 esv

A servant who deals wisely has the king's favor, but his wrath falls on one who acts shamefully.

Proverbs 14:35 nlt

A king rejoices in wise servants
but is angry with those who disgrace him.

Proverbs 14 verses

Proverbs 14 35 Meaning

This proverb highlights the absolute preference a monarch has for an insightful and effective servant, demonstrating a strong inclination towards them. Conversely, a king will show severe displeasure and wrath towards a servant who acts foolishly, dishonestly, or ineptly, bringing disgrace upon the royal court or the kingdom. It illustrates the critical importance of wise and loyal service within positions of authority.

Proverbs 14 35 Context

Proverbs 14 falls within a large section (Proverbs 10:1-22:16) often termed the "Solomonic Collection," characterized by independent, two-line sayings contrasting wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, and their resulting outcomes. Chapter 14 specifically contrasts the paths and results for the wise and the foolish across various aspects of life, including family, work, wealth, justice, and leadership. Verse 35 specifically addresses the dynamic within a royal court or between a leader and their subordinates. It reflects a universal truth about the administration of power and the critical role of character and competence in those serving authority. In a monarchical system, the king's disposition dictated the fortune or misfortune of his officials, emphasizing the practical implications of a servant's wisdom or foolishness.

Proverbs 14 35 Word analysis

• The king’s (מֶלֶךְ, meleḵ)

  • Significance: Represents supreme earthly authority, power, and the ultimate dispenser of reward or punishment within a human kingdom. In the broader Biblical sense, often parallels God as the ultimate King.

• favor (חֶמְדַּת, ḥemdath)

  • Significance: Derived from ḥemed, meaning "desire," "preciousness," "delight," "beauty," "what is desirable." This is more than mere "approval"; it denotes a deep pleasure, cherishing, or valuing. The king truly desires, delights in, and finds precious the wise servant. It suggests a strong inclination and benevolent disposition.

• is toward (implied connection)

  • Significance: The Hebrew structure emphasizes possession or inherent quality, "delight of king is wise servant," directly associating the two.

• a wise (מַשְׂכִּיל, maśkîl)

  • Significance: From the root śāḵal, meaning "to be prudent," "to understand," "to prosper," "to act discerningly." This describes not merely intellectual acumen but practical, applied wisdom, shrewdness, and understanding that leads to success and effective management. A maśkîl servant acts skillfully and wisely for the benefit of the king. It implies discernment and success.

• servant (עֶבֶד, ʿeḇeḏ)

  • Significance: Refers to anyone in service to another, from a lowly slave to a high-ranking minister or official. In a royal context, often an advisor, administrator, or courtier. The term carries connotations of loyalty and duty.

• but (וְ, wə)

  • Significance: A conjunction indicating contrast or opposition, signaling the parallel consequence.

• his (referring to the king's)

  • Significance: Demonstrates the singular source of both favor and wrath.

• wrath (עֶבְרָתוֹ, ‘eḇrātōh)

  • Significance: From ‘eḇrāh, denoting intense, vehement anger, indignation, often with implications of overflowing fury. It's a severe form of displeasure, signifying serious consequences for the recipient. Used for God's wrath, highlighting its seriousness.

• is toward (implied connection)

  • Significance: As above, directly links the king's wrath with the recipient.

• one who causes (תְמֻקַּל, təmūqqal)

  • Significance: This Pual participle means "one who is despised," "contemptible," or "one who has been made to cause shame." It describes a servant whose very character or actions bring disgrace. Some interpretations link it to a root meaning "to decay" or "to make contemptible," emphasizing the destructive or demeaning nature of their actions. It implies incompetence or immorality leading to a shameful state or outcome.

• shame (בֹּשֶׁת, bōšeṯ)

  • Significance: Represents disgrace, humiliation, public dishonor, or confusion. It's the opposite of honor and favor, resulting from failure, wrongdoing, or revealing unworthiness. The servant who "causes shame" brings disrepute upon themselves and the king they serve.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "The king’s favor is toward a wise servant": This phrase establishes a principle of meritocracy in the royal court, where capability, discretion, and loyalty are highly valued and rewarded. It emphasizes that a discerning and effective servant is not just tolerated but actively sought after and cherished by the king. It speaks to the wisdom a king has in recognizing and fostering such talent.
  • "but his wrath is toward one who causes shame": This contrasting phrase underscores the severe repercussions for those whose actions or character bring dishonor, incompetence, or disrepute. It's not merely disapproval but fierce indignation, indicating that the consequences for bringing shame—whether through folly, betrayal, or incompetence—will be dire. It highlights the high stakes of royal service.
  • The King's Reciprocal Action: The verse portrays the king as the central authority figure who reciprocates the servant's conduct: delight for wisdom, wrath for shame. This reinforces the king's discerning judgment and his role in upholding justice within his administration. It's a statement on effective leadership: valuing what builds up and condemning what tears down.

Proverbs 14 35 Bonus section

The concept of the maśkîl servant (wise/discerning) is critical here. It’s not just intellectual capacity, but moral and practical discernment in service to a higher authority. This often includes humility, teachability, and a commitment to righteousness. The wise servant understands the long-term consequences of their actions and works for the king's and kingdom's ultimate good, rather than fleeting personal gain or avoidance of effort. The "shame" (bōšeṯ) referred to for the unfaithful servant carries the heavy cultural weight of public disgrace and loss of honor, which was a devastating outcome in ancient societies, perhaps even more so than financial or physical punishment. It undermines one's very identity and standing. The proverb therefore touches on the vital importance of reputation and integrity in the public square. It's a stark reminder that true authority, both human and divine, is not indifferent to the character and conduct of its subordinates.

Proverbs 14 35 Commentary

Proverbs 14:35 encapsulates a core principle of wise leadership and effective governance: a ruler's prosperity and stability are directly linked to the quality of those who serve him. The "wise servant" (maśkîl) is not merely intelligent, but possesses practical discernment, strategic thinking, and moral integrity that contributes positively to the king's domain. Such a servant avoids pitfalls, makes sound decisions, and reflects well on the ruler, thereby earning deep royal "favor" or "delight" (ḥemdath). This favor can manifest as promotion, trust, protection, or personal affection.

Conversely, the "one who causes shame" is a servant whose actions—whether through negligence, incompetence, deceit, or outright wickedness—bring dishonor, confusion, or damage to the king's reputation, affairs, or kingdom. The king's "wrath" (‘eḇrāh) in this context signifies a potent and consuming indignation, implying severe disciplinary action, removal from office, or even worse.

Beyond the earthly court, this proverb reflects a divine principle. God, the ultimate King, delights in His wise and faithful servants who walk in His ways and bring glory to His name. Conversely, He stands in strong opposition to those whose actions bring shame and dishonor to His character or His kingdom, facing their folly with His righteous wrath. The proverb thus encourages not only practical wisdom for earthly success but also righteous living in submission to God, understanding that true wisdom stems from the fear of the Lord (Prov 9:10).

Examples for practical usage:

• A student who diligently studies and earns high marks (wise servant) receives praise from teachers (favor), while one who cheats (causes shame) faces disciplinary action (wrath).
• An employee who consistently excels and shows loyalty (wise servant) earns promotions and bonuses (favor), unlike one who neglects duties or misrepresents facts (causes shame) and faces termination (wrath).