Proverbs 16:12 kjv

It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 16:12 nkjv

It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 16:12 niv

Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.

Proverbs 16:12 esv

It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

Proverbs 16:12 nlt

A king detests wrongdoing,
for his rule is built on justice.

Proverbs 16 verses

Proverbs 16 12 Meaning

Proverbs 16:12 conveys that it is detestable for those in authority to engage in evil; instead, their rule and influence are securely established through consistently practicing righteousness and justice. It outlines an essential principle for stable and God-honoring leadership.

Proverbs 16 12 Context

Proverbs Chapter 16 focuses significantly on the Lord's sovereignty over human plans and decisions, including the character and stability of leaders. This verse, therefore, places kingly conduct within God's divine ordering. Historically, kings in the ancient Near East often ruled through might and often unjustly. The wisdom found in Proverbs 16:12 sets a counter-cultural standard for leadership, specifically within Israelite thought, demanding moral integrity and justice from those whom God had appointed to rule, rather than arbitrary power or oppression. It positions righteous governance as fundamental to lasting rule.

Proverbs 16 12 Word analysis

• It is an abomination (תּוֹעֲבַת - to'evath): This strong Hebrew term signifies something utterly repulsive, detestable, or an offense to God's moral order. Its use here indicates not just distaste, but a profound ethical repugnance expected from a true, God-fearing ruler.
• to kings (מְלָכִים - melakhim): Plural, signifying rulers or those in authority generally. This is not about a single king's personal preference but a universal standard for legitimate leadership.
• to commit wickedness (עֲשׂוֹת רֶשַׁע - asot resha): Asot means 'to do' or 'to commit', and resha refers to 'wickedness,' 'evil,' or 'unrighteousness.' It encompasses unjust actions, moral corruption, and defiance of God's laws. For a king, this means practices like bribery, oppression, or judicial perversion.
• for (כִּי - ki): A causal conjunction, meaning 'because' or 'for the reason that'. It directly connects the abhorrence of wickedness to the principle that follows.
• the throne (כִּסֵּא - kisse): Literally 'seat,' metaphorically representing the symbol of royal power, authority, and sovereignty of a kingdom or reign.
• is established (יִכּוֹן - yikkon): From the root kun, meaning 'to be firm,' 'to be set up,' 'to be confirmed,' 'to endure,' or 'to be made stable.' It speaks of lasting stability, security, and legitimacy.
• by righteousness (בְּצֶדֶק - b'tsedek): B' means 'by,' 'with,' or 'in,' and tsedek signifies 'righteousness,' 'justice,' 'equity,' or 'uprightness.' This refers to a standard of moral and ethical conduct that aligns with God's perfect law and involves fair and just governance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness": This clause sets a moral imperative for leaders. A true and ideal king, operating within God's design, should find wicked actions inherently abhorrent, viewing them as utterly repugnant and contrary to the very essence of their office. This suggests a king who prioritizes divine justice and ethical conduct.
• "for the throne is established by righteousness": This explains the preceding statement. The stability, security, and longevity of a kingdom or a ruler's authority are divinely sustained not by might, cunning, or arbitrary will, but fundamentally by consistent righteous behavior, fair judgment, and just governance. Wickedness, by contrast, undermines and eventually collapses the seat of power.

Proverbs 16 12 Bonus section

This proverb implicitly provides criteria for evaluating leadership, not just for kings but for anyone in a position of influence. It teaches that enduring authority stems from a deep reverence for justice and an abhorrence of evil. The to'evah (abomination) aspect emphasizes that godly leaders must have an inner moral compass that makes them repulsed by unrighteousness. The long-term security and legitimacy of a ruler or system, in God's eyes, rests on this spiritual and moral foundation, not on worldly metrics of strength or wealth. This principle culminates in the person of Jesus Christ, the King whose throne is established eternally because He Himself is perfect righteousness and abhors all wickedness.

Proverbs 16 12 Commentary

Proverbs 16:12 delivers a profound truth about the nature of biblical leadership: genuine and enduring authority is not sustained by oppressive power or moral compromise, but by an unwavering commitment to righteousness. It is a divine expectation for rulers to instinctively reject wickedness, recognizing that such conduct actively destabilizes their rule. This proverb elevates righteousness—comprising justice, equity, and moral uprightness—as the foundational pillar of any legitimate and lasting reign, highlighting that even earthly power must align with God's character to be truly established and to endure. It reminds all in authority that their ultimate security derives from reflecting divine justice, not from human cunning or force.