Proverbs 29:4

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

מֶ֗לֶךְ בְּ֭מִשְׁפָּט יַעֲמִ֣יד אָ֑רֶץ וְאִ֖ישׁ תְּרוּמ֣וֹת יֶֽהֶרְסֶֽנָּה׃

Transliteration

meleḵ bə-mišpāṭ yaʿămîd ʾāreṣ wə-ʾîš tərûmôt yehersenāh

Grammar Details

• *meleḵ*: noun, masculine singular - king
• *bə*: preposition - by/with
• *mišpāṭ*: noun, masculine singular - justice/judgment
• *yaʿămîd*: hiphil imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - causes to stand/establishes
• *ʾāreṣ*: noun, feminine singular - land/earth/country
• *wə*: conjunction - and
• *ʾîš*: noun, masculine singular construct - man of
• *tərûmôt*: noun, feminine plural - offerings/contributions/bribes
• *yehersenāh*: qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular + 3rd feminine singular suffix - destroys it

Word Meanings

• *meleḵ*: king/ruler
• *bə-mišpāṭ*: by justice/with judgment/through righteous judgment
• *yaʿămîd*: establishes/makes firm/causes to stand
• *ʾāreṣ*: land/country/nation
• *ʾîš tərûmôt*: man of offerings/man who takes bribes/man of exactions
• *yehersenāh*: tears it down/destroys it/overthrows it

Referenced Verses

• Prov 29:14 : 14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever.
• Isa 9:7 : 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
• Isa 49:8 : 8 Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages:
• Jer 22:13-17 : 13 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by injustice; that useth his neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him not his hire; 14 that saith, I will build me a wide house and spacious chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion. 15 Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him. 16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah. 17 But thine eyes and thy heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
• Dan 11:20 : 20 Then shall stand up in his place one that shall cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the kingdom; but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
• Mic 7:3 : 3 Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge [is ready] for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together.
• 1 Sam 13:13 : 13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly; thou hast not kept the commandment of Jehovah thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would Jehovah have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
• 2 Sam 8:15 : 15 And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness unto all his people.
• 1 Kgs 2:12 : 12 And Solomon sat upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.
• 2 Kgs 15:18-20 : 18 And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah: he departed not all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, wherewith he made Israel to sin. 19 There came against the land Pul the king of Assyria; and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. 20 And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.
• 2 Chr 9:8 : 8 Blessed be Jehovah thy God, who delighted in thee, to set thee on his throne, to be king for Jehovah thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do justice and righteousness.
• Ps 89:14 : 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of thy throne: Lovingkindness and truth go before thy face.
• Ps 99:4 : 4 The king's strength also loveth justice; Thou dost establish equity; Thou executest justice and righteousness in Jacob.
• Prov 8:15 : 15 By me kings reign, And princes decree justice.
• Prov 16:12 : 12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.
• Prov 20:8 : 8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment Scattereth away all evil with his eyes.