Proverbs 18:5 kjv

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

Proverbs 18:5 nkjv

It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

Proverbs 18:5 niv

It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.

Proverbs 18:5 esv

It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.

Proverbs 18:5 nlt

It is not right to acquit the guilty
or deny justice to the innocent.

Proverbs 18 verses

Proverbs 18 5 Meaning

Proverbs 18:5 condemns perverting justice through favoritism or oppression. It declares that it is morally wrong and destructive to show leniency or bias towards the wicked, allowing them to escape merited punishment. Concurrently, it equally condemns the denial of rightful justice to the righteous, whether by depriving them of what is due or condemning them unjustly. This verse underscores the foundational principle of impartiality required for all who dispense justice.

Proverbs 18 5 Context

Proverbs chapter 18, like much of the book of Proverbs, offers pithy sayings that convey wisdom for living a righteous and successful life. This specific verse (18:5) is situated within a collection of proverbs that primarily address wisdom concerning speech, reputation, friendship, and particularly, the administration of justice. Proverbs consistently emphasizes the importance of uprightness in judgment and governance, recognizing its foundational role in a stable and just society. Historically and culturally, in ancient Israel, judges (often elders, priests, or the king) held significant authority. Their decisions profoundly impacted individuals' lives and the community's fabric. The admonition in this verse directly targets the ever-present temptation for those in power to corrupt justice for personal gain, social standing, or favoritism, highlighting that such actions are an offense against both societal order and God's divine standard.

Proverbs 18 5 Word analysis

• It is not good (לֹא טוֹב - lo' tov):

  • "not good": Stronger than merely 'unwise'. In Hebrew wisdom, "lo' tov" denotes something morally wrong, displeasing to God, or fundamentally contrary to proper order.
  • Significance: It’s a foundational statement of disapproval, implying harm and spiritual danger to both the individual and society.

• to show partiality (שְׂאֵת פָּנִים - sə'et panim):

  • "to lift up the face": An idiom meaning to accept someone's person, to be prejudiced in their favor, or to grant favor/respect not based on merit but on status, wealth, or bribery.
  • Significance: Condemns a judge's or authority figure's biased decision-making where truth is overridden by external pressures or personal gain.

• to the wicked (רָשָׁע - rasha):

  • "wicked": Refers to those morally evil, guilty, or lawless. In a legal context, it signifies the one who is in the wrong.
  • Significance: Favoring the rasha enables injustice, allowing the guilty to escape accountability and perpetuating evil. It mocks divine justice.

• or to deprive (הַטּוֹת - haṭot):

  • "to turn aside" / "to pervert" / "to distort": Implies an active perversion of justice, leading it astray from its true course. This can include falsifying evidence or misinterpreting law.
  • Significance: Highlights a deliberate malicious act of twisting the law or denying due process.

• the righteous (צַדִּיק - tzaddiq):

  • "righteous" / "just" / "innocent": Refers to those who align with God's standards, morally upright, or, in a legal context, the one who is innocent and has a just cause.
  • Significance: The verse champions the tzaddiq, emphasizing the protection of those who are in the right and who embody righteousness. To deprive them is a profound injustice.

• of justice (בַּמִּשְׁפָּט - bammishpaṭ):

  • "in judgment" / "in a lawsuit" / "in justice": Specifies the sphere of action—the court, legal proceedings, or any situation requiring a judgment of right and wrong. It denotes the application of equitable law.
  • Significance: Anchors the verse in judicial administration. Justice (mishpat) is a cornerstone of God's character; depriving it attacks the foundation of order.

• "It is not good to show partiality to the wicked":

  • This clause condemns favoritism that benefits those who are wrong or guilty. It addresses the bias of granting unearned advantage or a softer judgment to those who deserve condemnation. This could stem from bribery, social influence, fear, or any unrighteous motive that leads a judge or authority figure to acquit or excuse the wicked. It is a corruption of the very purpose of justice.

• "or to deprive the righteous of justice":

  • This clause complements the first by condemning the other side of judicial perversion: actively denying what is due to the innocent or upright. It refers to withholding their rights, denying their just claims, or even condemning them when they are blameless. This could involve misjudging, neglecting due process, or twisting facts against them. These two clauses together demonstrate two fundamental ways justice can be corrupted: by blessing the bad or harming the good, both are equally grievous offenses in God's eyes.

Proverbs 18 5 Bonus section

This proverb underscores the critical importance of mishpat (justice) and tzaddiq (righteousness) as cornerstones of a God-honoring society. Mishpat encompasses legal decisions, social justice, and fair treatment for all, reflecting God's own justice. Tzaddiq represents not only individual uprightness but also the one who is in the right, particularly when vulnerable. The perversion of mishpat against the tzaddiq directly contravenes the divine expectation that judges shepaṭ-tzaddiq, meaning to judge the righteous or justly. This verse speaks directly to those in authority, but its principle extends to all interactions where fairness, truth, and impartiality are demanded. The biblical call to justice is not merely punitive but redemptive, ensuring societal welfare by protecting the vulnerable and holding the powerful accountable, mirroring God's own care for the weak and His condemnation of oppression.

Proverbs 18 5 Commentary

Proverbs 18:5 encapsulates a core principle of divine wisdom regarding ethical governance and social interaction: impartiality in the administration of justice. It functions as a foundational warning against the perversion of what is right and fair. The phrase "not good" transcends mere inconvenience; it signals something profoundly immoral, disruptive to societal order, and contrary to God's character. Whether in a literal court of law or any situation requiring equitable judgment, showing favor to the wicked and condemning the righteous represents a grievous betrayal of trust. Such actions undermine the moral fabric of a community, diminish public trust, and provoke divine disapproval. The Lord, as the ultimate Judge, Himself demonstrates no partiality (Deut 10:17) and expects His people, particularly those in positions of authority, to reflect this divine attribute. To do otherwise invites chaos and dishonors God.*Examples: A judge accepting a bribe to rule in favor of a guilty rich person. A parent consistently excusing one child's misbehavior while harshly punishing another's minor fault. A leader promoting an incompetent friend over a more qualified, deserving individual for a position.