Proverbs 29:14 kjv
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
Proverbs 29:14 nkjv
The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.
Proverbs 29:14 niv
If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will be established forever.
Proverbs 29:14 esv
If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
Proverbs 29:14 nlt
If a king judges the poor fairly,
his throne will last forever.
Proverbs 29 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 72:1-4 | Give the king Your judgments, O God... May he judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice... He will defend the afflicted of the people, He will save the children of the needy, And will crush the oppressor. | Ideal King's Justice for Poor |
| Psa 72:7 | In his days the righteous shall flourish; And abundance of peace until the moon is no more. | Righteous Rule brings Peace/Stability |
| Prov 16:12 | It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness. | Righteousness Establishes Throne |
| Prov 20:28 | Mercy and truth preserve the king, And he upholds his throne by righteousness. | Royal Stability through Mercy and Truth |
| Prov 29:4 | The king by justice establishes the land, But he who receives bribes overthrows it. | Justice Secures the Land/Rule |
| Deut 16:18-20 | You shall appoint judges and officers... and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment... You shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe... that you may live and inherit the land. | Justice for All |
| Isa 9:7 | Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end... to establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. | Messiah's Eternal Kingdom of Justice |
| Jer 22:3 | Thus says the Lord: "Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow." | Call for Righteous Governance |
| Zech 7:9 | Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother." | Divine Command for True Justice |
| Mic 6:8 | He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? | God's Requirement: Justice and Mercy |
| Psa 140:12 | I know that the Lord will maintain The cause of the afflicted, And justice for the poor. | God as Defender of the Vulnerable |
| Psa 89:14 | Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. | God's Throne Based on Justice/Righteousness |
| 2 Sam 7:16 | And your house and your kingdom shall endure before me forever; your throne shall be established forever. | Davidic Covenant - Enduring Throne |
| Dan 2:44 | And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. | God's Eternal Kingdom |
| Luke 1:32-33 | He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. | Messiah's Eternal Reign |
| Jas 2:1-4 | My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings... and you say... | Warning Against Partiality |
| Jas 2:5-7 | Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom...? But you have dishonored the poor man. | God's Value of the Poor |
| Prov 28:16 | A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. | Unjust Ruler's Short Rule |
| Psa 10:17-18 | LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may terrify no more. | God Hears the Vulnerable |
| Prov 22:22-23 | Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate; For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them. | Divine Vengeance for Oppressed |
Proverbs 29 verses
Proverbs 29 14 Meaning
Proverbs 29:14 articulates a fundamental principle of governance: a monarch who consistently and truthfully administers justice, particularly on behalf of the impoverished and vulnerable, secures and prolongs his rule. This act of righteous judgment establishes the enduring stability of his authority.
Proverbs 29 14 Context
Proverbs chapter 29 extensively explores the distinctions between righteous and wicked leadership, contrasting those who rule justly with those who are corrupt or oppress. The chapter emphasizes the consequences of these leadership styles on both the ruler and the nation. Verses like 29:4 explicitly state that a king "by justice establishes the land." This particular verse (29:14) builds upon that theme by pinpointing a specific manifestation of justice: the equitable judgment of the poor. The historical context reflects ancient Near Eastern monarchies where the king was often seen as the primary dispenser of justice and the protector of the weak, mirroring divine attributes. The wisdom literature aims to instruct those in power, and indeed all individuals, on the principles that lead to societal harmony and lasting success, ultimately reflecting God's character and requirements.
Proverbs 29 14 Word analysis
- The King (מֶלֶךְ, melech): This term denotes a sovereign ruler. In the biblical context, the ideal king was not merely a potentate but one responsible for maintaining God's law and justice in the land. The stability of the nation depended heavily on his adherence to righteous principles.
- Who Faithfully Judges (שׁוֹפֵט בֶּאֱמֶת, shofet be'emet):
- Judges (שׁוֹפֵט, shofet): From the verb "shaphat," meaning to judge, govern, rule, decide controversies, or administer justice. It implies more than merely presiding over court; it encompasses the king's entire role as an equitable administrator and protector of order.
- Faithfully (בֶּאֱמֶת, be'emet): Derived from 'emet (truth, faithfulness, firmness, reliability). This is crucial. It means judging with integrity, consistency, without partiality, and according to what is genuinely right and true. It's about steadfast adherence to divine and moral standards, not merely going through the motions.
- The Poor (דַּלִּים, dallim): Refers to those who are weak, humble, vulnerable, and in a lowly condition. This is not solely about economic destitution but includes those without influence, power, or legal representation who are easily exploited. Biblical law consistently mandates special care for this group (widows, orphans, sojourners) as a test of societal righteousness.
- His Throne (כִּסְאוֹ, kis'o): A symbol of authority, power, and dynasty. It represents the king's rule, his legitimacy, and the perpetuity of his lineage.
- Will Be Established (יִכּוֹן, yikkon): From the root kun, meaning to be firm, to stand, to be confirmed, to be made stable, to endure. This indicates permanence, security, and continuation, directly linking the king's righteous actions to the stability of his power.
- Forever (לָעַד, la'ad): Means perpetually, eternally, or for all time. While earthly kingships are temporal, the hyperbolic use here underscores extreme longevity and deep-rooted stability. In the ultimate sense, this ideal points towards the messianic kingdom of Christ, which truly is everlasting and characterized by perfect justice for all, especially the downtrodden.
Words-group analysis:
- "The king who faithfully judges the poor": This phrase highlights the specific criterion for a lasting reign. It's not merely being a king, but being a righteous king, whose righteousness is explicitly demonstrated by his equitable treatment of the most vulnerable in society. This challenges self-serving or corrupt governance.
- "His throne will be established forever": This describes the inevitable outcome. Justice, particularly for the voiceless, is the bedrock of enduring authority. This links moral action directly to political stability and divine blessing, suggesting that such a reign reflects God's own character and will receive His divine endorsement and preservation.
Proverbs 29 14 Bonus Section
- The wisdom conveyed in Proverbs 29:14 is applicable beyond ancient monarchies, extending to any form of governance, corporate leadership, or even familial authority. The principle holds that the moral integrity of a leader, demonstrated by their fair treatment of the weak, fosters trust, stability, and enduring influence.
- This proverb stands in stark contrast to prevailing political philosophies that prioritize power, wealth, or strategic advantage over justice for all. It's a subtle polemic against any system where might makes right or where the rich and powerful are favored.
- The connection between divine attributes and righteous rule is significant. God himself is frequently depicted as the one who defends the cause of the poor and oppressed (Psa 68:5; 140:12). Therefore, a king acting righteously towards the poor is seen as aligning with God's character and thus gains divine backing for his reign.
Proverbs 29 14 Commentary
Proverbs 29:14 succinctly presents a foundational truth regarding leadership: the long-term viability and stability of a governing authority are directly correlated with its commitment to genuine justice, especially for society's most vulnerable. The "king" here represents any figure in a position of power and judgment. The crucial element is "faithfully" judging, which means operating with integrity, truthfulness, and impartiality—reflecting God's own character of emet (truth/faithfulness). When this principle is applied to the "poor" (dallim), it emphasizes a particular concern for those without social leverage or means to defend themselves, the ones often susceptible to oppression. Prioritizing the just cause of the helpless signifies a rule founded on righteous principles, rather than self-interest or the pursuit of power for its own sake. Such a king, through these actions, reflects God's justice and righteousness (Psa 89:14) and thereby earns divine favor, resulting in the enduring establishment of his "throne" or rule. Conversely, a king who neglects this duty invites instability and eventual downfall. This verse foreshadows the ultimate king, Jesus Christ, whose eternal reign is characterized by perfect justice and care for the humble (Isa 9:7).