Proverbs 25:5 kjv
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Proverbs 25:5 nkjv
Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
Proverbs 25:5 niv
remove wicked officials from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
Proverbs 25:5 esv
take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Proverbs 25:5 nlt
Remove the wicked from the king's court,
and his reign will be made secure by justice.
Proverbs 25 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 29:4 | "A king establishes the land by justice, but he who exacts gifts overthrows it." | Just rule secures, corruption destabilizes. |
| Ps 101:3-8 | "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes...Whoever slanders...I will destroy." | King's commitment to righteousness and purity in his court. |
| Prov 20:26 | "A wise king winnows out the wicked and drives the threshing wheel over them." | A righteous ruler actively purges evil. |
| 2 Sam 23:3 | "He who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of morning..." | Godly rule brings blessing and light. |
| Ps 72:1-4 | "Give the king your justice, O God...May he judge your people with righteousness." | Prayer for righteous, just, and compassionate reign. |
| Isa 9:7 | "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David...with justice and with righteousness." | Prophecy of Christ's eternal, just kingdom. |
| Jer 23:5 | "I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; and he shall reign as king and deal wisely and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land." | Messiah's future reign characterized by justice. |
| Zec 9:9 | "Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he..." | Messiah's humble yet righteous coming. |
| Prov 16:12 | "It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for a throne is established by righteousness." | Wickedness detested by kings, righteousness foundational for stability. |
| Prov 20:8 | "A king who sits on the throne of judgment disperses all evil with his eyes." | King discerns and expels evil by discerning wisdom. |
| Prov 25:12 | "Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear." | Value of wise counsel and willingness to receive it. |
| Prov 28:16 | "A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days." | Wicked rulers cause suffering, just rulers prosper. |
| Ps 9:7-8 | "The Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for judgment...He will judge the world in righteousness." | God's eternal throne is founded on righteousness. |
| Prov 14:34 | "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." | Righteousness elevates, sin disgraces. |
| Dan 2:44 | "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed..." | God's kingdom supersedes all earthly corrupt ones. |
| Matt 20:25-26 | "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them...It shall not be so among you." | Christ redefines leadership as humble service. |
| Rom 13:3-4 | "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad...he is God's servant for your good." | Government's role to suppress evil and promote good. |
| Heb 1:8 | "But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.'" | Christ's divine and righteous reign. |
| Isa 32:1 | "Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice." | Vision of righteous rulers in a future era. |
| Ex 18:21 | "Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate a bribe..." | Advice for selecting virtuous leaders/advisors. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-14 | "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution...for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good." | God's purpose for earthly authorities. |
| Ezra 7:25-26 | "You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges... and teach them..." | The importance of wise and lawful governance. |
Proverbs 25 verses
Proverbs 25 5 Meaning
Proverbs 25:5 emphasizes that for a king's rule to be stable, secure, and just, those who act wickedly or counsel evil in his presence must be removed. This principle highlights that righteous governance is foundational to enduring authority, underscoring the necessity of purging corruption to ensure integrity and stability within any leadership or system.
Proverbs 25 5 Context
Proverbs 25 belongs to a section (chapters 25-29) introduced as "proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out." These proverbs were specifically collected and organized for public use, likely as educational material for the royal court and the broader populace, during a period of spiritual revival under King Hezekiah (circa 8th century BC). The immediate context of Proverbs 25, starting from verse 2, focuses on the wise administration of justice and the behavior appropriate for a king's court. Proverbs 25:5 directly follows a proverb about a king's glory being found in searching out a matter (v.2) and the analogy of purifying silver to produce a vessel (v.4). Verse 5, therefore, is an application of this purification principle to the king's administration: just as dross is removed from silver, so too must the wicked be removed from the king's influence to ensure a pure and effective reign. It addresses the king directly or indirectly, offering a fundamental principle for stable governance. This stands in contrast to common tyrannical rulers in the ancient Near East who often surrounded themselves with those who merely flattered or enabled their desires, irrespective of justice.
Proverbs 25 5 Word analysis
- Take away (Hebrew: הָגָה - haga): This verb means "to remove," "to purify," "to clear away," or "to scrape off." It implies an active, intentional purging or cleansing. It's a forceful action, suggesting not merely a passive departure but an active extraction, akin to removing impurities.
- The wicked (Hebrew: רָשָׁע - rasha): Refers to the lawless, the guilty, those who actively live contrary to God's standards and ethical principles. In the context of a king's court, these are individuals whose advice, actions, or influence promote injustice, corruption, or self-interest, rather than truth and righteousness.
- From before the king (Hebrew: מִלִּפְנֵי־מֶלֶךְ - milliphnê-melekh): This phrase indicates proximity and influence. It's not just "away from the king" generally, but specifically from his direct presence, counsel, and circle of influence. These are advisors, officials, or anyone whose conduct impacts the king's decisions and reputation.
- And his throne (Hebrew: וְכִסְּא֖וֹ - wəkhis’ō): The throne is a powerful symbol of authority, royal power, rule, and stability. It represents the king's governmental seat and the stability of his reign.
- Will be established (Hebrew: יִכּוֹן - yikkōn): From the root כּוּן (kun), meaning "to be firm," "to be secure," "to be enduring," "to be prepared." This is a Niphal imperfect, suggesting that the establishment is a result or consequence of the preceding action. It will become firm and stand secure.
- In righteousness (Hebrew: בְּצֶדֶק - bətsedeq): From the noun צֶדֶק (tsedeq), meaning "justice," "righteousness," "uprightness," "fairness," "integrity." It describes the moral character and administrative foundation of the reign. A throne established in righteousness means its stability rests on ethical conduct and just governance, reflecting divine standards of equity.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Take away the wicked from before the king,": This phrase emphasizes an active and deliberate purge. It is a necessary, perhaps even surgical, action to protect the integrity of the leadership. The presence of "the wicked" directly "before the king" implies an immediate threat of corruption to decision-making and justice.
- "and his throne will be established in righteousness.": This is the profound consequence and divine promise linked to the purging of evil. The stability and legitimacy of the king's rule are directly contingent on its moral foundation. When righteousness is upheld by removing its opposition, the throne endures, reflecting God's own righteous kingdom.
Proverbs 25 5 Bonus section
This proverb illustrates a core theme of Old Testament wisdom literature and prophetic teaching: the welfare of the people and the stability of the kingdom are intrinsically tied to the moral character of its leadership, especially the king. It posits that a just king, who actively purges evil from his administration, mirrors divine governance where God's throne is perpetually established in righteousness and justice (Ps 97:2; 89:14). Thus, the verse implicitly calls earthly kings to align their rule with God's perfect standard. The responsibility to "take away the wicked" may fall not only on the king himself but also on those around him who fear the Lord and value true wisdom. This verse implies that even well-meaning rulers can be corrupted by unrighteous counsel, making the deliberate choice of righteous associates crucial for a stable reign. It is a call to moral accountability in power structures.
Proverbs 25 5 Commentary
Proverbs 25:5 offers a vital principle for stable and righteous governance. It underscores that the endurance and legitimacy of any authority are directly linked to the moral integrity of its leadership and environment. The verse advocates for a proactive cleansing of the inner circle of influence, demanding that those who operate with wickedness or counsel injustice be decisively removed. This action of purification is not merely an option but a prerequisite for the throne's establishment, meaning its firm and secure continuation. The nature of this establishment is "in righteousness," implying that the stability of the kingdom rests upon justice, integrity, and ethical conduct. Without the removal of corrupt elements, a ruler's authority will inevitably be undermined by internal rot, leading to instability and a departure from justice. This principle extends beyond literal kings to any sphere of leadership, highlighting that pure leadership, based on truth and integrity, creates a lasting and beneficial order.