Proverbs 28:2

KJV1611 – Modern English

For the transgression of a land, many are its princes; but by a person of understanding and knowledge, its state will be prolonged.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

בְּפֶ֣שַֽׁע אֶ֭רֶץ רַבִּ֣ים שָׂרֶ֑יהָ וּבְאָדָ֥ם מֵבִ֥ין יֹ֝דֵ֗עַ כֵּ֣ן יַאֲרִֽיךְ׃

Transliteration

bəp̄ešaʿ 'ereṣ rabbîm śārêhā û-ḇə'āḏām mēḇîn yōḏēaʿ kēn ya'ărîḵ

Grammar Details

• *bəp̄ešaʿ*: preposition *bə* + noun, masculine singular - in/by transgression
• *'ereṣ*: noun, feminine singular - land/earth/country
• *rabbîm*: adjective, masculine plural - many
• *śārêhā*: noun, masculine plural + 3rd person feminine singular suffix - its princes/officials
• *û-ḇə'āḏām*: conjunction + preposition + noun, masculine singular - and with/by a man
• *mēḇîn*: Hiphil participle, masculine singular - understanding/discerning
• *yōḏēaʿ*: Qal participle, masculine singular - knowing
• *kēn*: adverb - so/thus/right
• *ya'ărîḵ*: Hiphil imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular - will prolong/extend

Word Meanings

• *pešaʿ*: transgression/rebellion/sin
• *'ereṣ*: land/country/earth
• *rabbîm*: many/numerous
• *śārêhā*: its princes/its rulers/its officials
• *mēḇîn*: understanding/discerning/having insight
• *yōḏēaʿ*: knowing/having knowledge
• *kēn*: so/thus/right
• *ya'ărîḵ*: will prolong/will extend/will continue

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will endure.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  For the transgression of a land many are the inces thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be olonged.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  For the transgression{H6588} of a land{H776} many{H7227} are the princes{H8269} thereof; But by men{H120} of understanding{H995} [and] knowledge{H3045} the state{H3651} [thereof] shall be prolonged.{H748}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  For the transgression{H6588} of a land{H776} many{H7227} are the princes{H8269} thereof: but by a man{H120} of understanding{H995}{(H8688)} and knowledge{H3045}{(H8802)} the state{H3651} thereof shall be prolonged{H748}{(H8686)}.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Because of synne ye londe doth oft chaunge hir prynce: but thorow men of vnderstondinge & wy?dome a realme endureth longe.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  For the transgression of the land there are many princes thereof: but by a man of vnderstanding and knowledge a realme likewise endureth long.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  For the wickednes of the lande, the prince is oft chaunged: but thorowe a man of vnderstanding and wysdome, a realme endureth long.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ For the transgression of a land many [are] the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  In rebellion, a land has many rulers, But order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  By the transgression of a land many `are' its heads. And by an intelligent man, Who knoweth right -- it is prolonged.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding `and' knowledge the state `thereof' shall be prolonged.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.

• World English Bible (2000)

  In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  When a country is rebellious it has many princes, but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained.

Referenced Verses

• Gen 45:5-8 : 5 Now do not be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
• 1 Kgs 15:25 : 25 Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years.
• 1 Kgs 15:28 : 28 Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his place.
• 1 Kgs 16:8-9 : 8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned for two years. 9 His servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him while he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, steward of his house in Tirzah. 10 Zimri went in and struck him down and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his place. 11 As soon as he began to reign and sat on his throne, he struck down all the house of Baasha; he left him not a single male, neither of his kinsmen nor of his friends. 12 Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, 13 for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned and made Israel to sin, provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their idols. 14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. 16 The troops who were encamped heard it said, 'Zimri has conspired and has also killed the king.' Therefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp. 17 So Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. 18 When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house down over himself with fire and died, 19 because of the sins that he committed in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and for his sin which he committed, making Israel to sin. 20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri and his conspiracy that he carried out, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two factions: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. 22 But the people who followed Omri prevailed against the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath, and Tibni died, and Omri became king. 23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, and he reigned twelve years; six years he reigned in Tirzah. 24 He bought the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, he built on the hill, and he called the name of the city that he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill. 25 But Omri did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and acted more wickedly than all who were before him. 26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their idols. 27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri that he did, and the power that he showed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 28 So Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and Ahab his son reigned in his place. 29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years.
• 2 Kgs 15:8-9 : 8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six months. 9 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done: he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 10 And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and struck him before the people, and killed him, and reigned in his place. 11 And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, indeed, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 12 This was the word of the LORD which he spoke to Jehu, saying, 'Your sons shall sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation.' And so it came to pass. 13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria. 14 For Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and struck Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and killed him, and reigned in his place. 15 And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, indeed, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 16 Then Menahem struck Tiphsah, and all those who were in it, and its territories from Tirzah, because they did not open to him; therefore he struck it, and all the women in it who were pregnant he ripped open. 17 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem the son of Gadi began to reign over Israel, and reigned ten years in Samaria. 18 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD: he did not depart all his days from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: 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 from Israel, from all the mighty men of wealth, from 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. 21 And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 22 And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his place. 23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah the son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned two years. 24 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD: he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and struck him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his place. 26 And the rest of the acts of Pekahiah, and all that he did, indeed, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 27 In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah the son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned twenty years. 28 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD: he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria. 30 And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and struck him, and killed him, and reigned in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah. 31 And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, indeed, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
• 2 Chr 32:20-26 : 20 And for this reason, Hezekiah the king and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz prayed and cried to heaven. 21 And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed all the mighty men of valor and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame on his face to his own land. And when he entered the house of his god, his own sons killed him with the sword there. 22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side. 23 Many brought gifts to the LORD at Jerusalem and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from that time on. 24 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death, and he prayed to the LORD, and He spoke to him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not repay the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud, therefore wrath was upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 However, Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
• 2 Chr 36:1-9 : 1 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's place in Jerusalem. 2 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. 3 And the king of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem, and fined the land a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 4 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim, his brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz, his brother, and carried him to Egypt. 5 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God. 6 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in chains, to carry him to Babylon. 7 Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and placed them in his temple at Babylon. 8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and what was found against him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place. 9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. 10 And when the year was expired, King Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and brought him to Babylon, with the precious vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah, his brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem. 11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD.
• Job 22:28-30 : 28 You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established for you, and light shall shine upon your ways. 29 When they cast down, then you shall say, 'There is lifting up;' and He shall save the humble person. 30 He shall deliver the island of the innocent; and it is delivered by the purity of your hands.
• Eccl 9:15 : 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no one remembered that same poor man.
• Isa 3:1-7 : 1 For indeed, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah the support and the staff, the whole support of bread and the whole support of water, 2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the wise, and the elder, 3 The captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the counselor, and the skilled craftsman, and the eloquent orator. 4 And I will make youths their princes, and children shall rule over them. 5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbor; the child shall act proudly against the elder, and the vile against the honorable. 6 When a man shall take hold of his brother in his father’s house, saying, You have clothing, be our ruler, and let this ruin be under your hand: 7 In that day he shall swear, saying, I will not be a healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing; do not make me a ruler of the people.
• Isa 58:12 : 12 And those from among you shall build the old waste places: you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
• Dan 4:27 : 27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, if it may be a lengthening of your tranquility.
• Hos 13:11 : 11 I gave you a king in my anger, and took him away in my wrath.