Proverbs 29:12 kjv
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
Proverbs 29:12 nkjv
If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.
Proverbs 29:12 niv
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
Proverbs 29:12 esv
If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
Proverbs 29:12 nlt
If a ruler pays attention to liars,
all his advisers will be wicked.
Proverbs 29 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text (Shortened) | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 18:21 | ...select able men... who fear God, men who are trustworthy and hate a bribe... | Appointing righteous officials is crucial for a leader. |
| Deut 17:18-20 | The king... write a copy of this law... keep all the words... | A leader should be grounded in truth (God's law). |
| 2 Sam 23:3-4 | The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God... he is like the light of morning... | Righteous rule brings blessings and clarity. |
| Psa 101:4-5 | A devious heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy... | A leader should not tolerate evil or deceit around him. |
| Prov 14:35 | A king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath is toward him who acts shamefully. | Leaders prefer those who act rightly, should reject those who don't. |
| Prov 16:12-13 | It is an abomination to kings to do evil... Righteous lips are the delight of a king... | Kings should hate evil and love truth in counsel. |
| Prov 17:23 | The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice. | Corruption happens in secret when tolerated. |
| Prov 20:8 | A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes. | A discerning leader roots out wickedness. |
| Prov 20:28 | Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by righteousness his throne is upheld. | Truth and righteousness sustain a leader's reign. |
| Prov 25:5 | Take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. | A wise leader purges corrupt officials. |
| Prov 28:16 | A ruler who lacks understanding will multiply oppression... | Ignorant/unwise rule leads to unjust governance. |
| Prov 29:4 | By justice a king builds up the land, but a man who takes bribes tears it down. | Contrast between just rule and corrupt practices. |
| Prov 29:7 | A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge. | A wicked official neglects justice. |
| Isa 1:23 | Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. | Shows corruption spreading through leadership. |
| Isa 3:12 | O my people, your guides mislead you and they destroy the path of your ways. | Misguided leaders cause people to err. |
| Isa 32:5-7 | No longer will the fool be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable... the scoundrel's devices are evil... | Differentiating true nobility from depravity. |
| Jer 22:15-17 | Do justice and righteousness... Was not this to know me? says the LORD... you have eyes and heart only for your dishonest gain... | God condemns leaders seeking selfish gain. |
| Eze 22:27-28 | Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing prey... And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them... | Describes predatory leaders and complicit advisors. |
| Mic 3:9-11 | Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob... who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity... Its heads give judgment for a bribe... | Corrupt leadership perverts justice for profit. |
| Matt 7:16-20 | You will recognize them by their fruits... | A leader's actions (and their officials' actions) reveal their character. |
| 1 Tim 2:1-2 | ...that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. | Implies stable government needs integrity for general good. |
| Heb 4:12-13 | For the word of God is living and active... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. | God's word exposes true motives, a standard for leaders. |
| James 3:17-18 | But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy... | Divine wisdom in leadership is antithetical to falsehood. |
Proverbs 29 verses
Proverbs 29 12 Meaning
Proverbs 29:12 conveys that a ruler's disposition towards truth and falsehood profoundly influences the ethical conduct of their administration. If a leader readily accepts or favors deceit, lies, or flatteries, it creates an environment where those who serve him will adopt similar corrupt practices to gain favor or simply adapt to the established norm of dishonesty, resulting in widespread wickedness among his officials.
Proverbs 29 12 Context
Proverbs chapter 29 delves into themes of righteous governance, the consequences of folly, and the importance of wisdom in public and private life. It frequently contrasts the outcome of justice with injustice. Verse 12 is embedded within this counsel, directly addressing the impact of a leader's character on his administration. Historically, ancient Near Eastern monarchies placed immense power and authority in the hands of the king. The ruler's court was not merely a governing body but a reflection of his personal values and disposition. Counselors and officials constantly sought the king's favor. If the king was known to welcome flatteries or distorted truths, subordinates would adapt their behavior to mirror this, resulting in systemic corruption, rather than honest service or upholding justice. This proverb implicitly warns against the pervasive danger of sycophancy and the profound responsibility of leaders to cultivate an environment of integrity.
Proverbs 29 12 Word analysis
- "If": Conveys conditionality, signifying that the subsequent consequence is directly contingent on the ruler's prior choice or characteristic.
- "a ruler" (מֹוֹשֵׁל, mōšēl): Refers to anyone holding authority or dominion, particularly a governmental leader such as a king, governor, or magistrate. The term highlights the significant reach and impact of an individual in such a position.
- "listens" (קֶשֶׁב, qeshev): More than merely hearing, this denotes giving heed to, attending to, or being inclined towards. It suggests receptiveness, an ear open to, and a willingness to be influenced by. The ruler’s inclination towards what they hear is key.
- "to falsehood" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): Denotes lies, deceit, fraud, perjury, emptiness, or that which is contrary to truth. In a political context, it encompasses corrupt counsel, misrepresentations, flattery, or self-serving advice that undermines justice and good governance.
- "all his officials" (כָּל מְשָׁרְתָיו, kāl mᵉšārᵉtāv): "All" emphasizes the comprehensive and pervasive effect. "Officials" or "servants" refers to all those serving the ruler, from high-ranking ministers to lower-tier administrators, underscoring that the corruption will spread throughout the entire system.
- "will be": Signifies a direct and inevitable causal outcome; the consequence is a natural and expected result of the initial condition.
- "wicked" (רָשָׁע, rāšā'): Implies unrighteous, morally guilty, habitually evil, or impious. It's not just error, but active perversion of what is right, involving injustice and immoral conduct.
- Words-Group analysis
- "If a ruler listens to falsehood": This phrase pinpoints the root cause of the problem: the leader's internal disposition and external behavior regarding truth. It's about what the leader tolerates, welcomes, and even cultivates around himself. This receptivity to deceit becomes the guiding principle for the administration.
- "all his officials will be wicked": This highlights the inescapable and systemic nature of corruption. The ruler's preference for falsehood sets the ethical standard for his entire administration. Officials will adapt by engaging in dishonesty, promoting misinformation, or neglecting justice, either out of imitation, fear of displeasure, or a desire for personal gain within a corrupt system, thus becoming morally corrupt themselves.
Proverbs 29 12 Bonus section
The proverb illuminates the critical concept of the "leader's shadow," where the values, attitudes, and character of the one in authority inevitably cast their influence over every aspect of the organization they oversee. This verse presents a warning not only for rulers but also for any individual in a position of influence, whether in a household, a company, or a ministry, underscoring their profound responsibility to uphold truth. It is a divine principle that God desires leaders who exemplify truth and righteousness, as these qualities are foundational to justice and societal well-being. This wisdom is intended to deter both the leader who tolerates deceit and those who engage in sycophancy or perverse counsel, knowing that God discerns the hearts of all and will judge based on truth.
Proverbs 29 12 Commentary
Proverbs 29:12 articulates a profound truth about leadership: the character and disposition of a ruler fundamentally shape the integrity of their entire administration. When a leader's ears are inclined toward deceit, flattery, or manipulated truths, a powerful ripple effect of moral decline permeates downward. Officials, seeking to maintain favor or advance, will inevitably adopt practices that align with their ruler's demonstrated preferences, leading to widespread unrighteousness and corruption within the governing structure. This proverb serves as a stark warning, emphasizing that true and just governance begins at the very top with a leader's unshakeable commitment to truth and a fierce rejection of all forms of falsehood, lest his entire system becomes tainted. The inverse is implicitly encouraged: a leader who listens to truth will foster righteousness.