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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 29:2

This is what was said before, Prov. 28:12, 28. 1. The people will have cause to rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked; for, if the righteous be in authority, sin will be punished and restrained, religion and virtue will be supported and kept in reputation; but, if the wicked get power in their hands, wickedness will abound, religion and religious people will be persecuted, and so the ends of government will be perverted. 2. The people will actually rejoice or mourn... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous are in authority ,.... Or "are increased" F7 ברבות "cum augentur", Junius & Tremellius; "cum multiplicati fuerit, vel multiplicantur", Vatablus, Baynus, Cocceius, Michaelis; "in multiplicari justos", Montanus. ; either in number or in riches, or in power and dominion; are set in high places, and have the exercise of civil government and the execution of the laws in their hands; for the protection of good men in their civil and religious privileges, and for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:1-7

Private morality and the public weal I. TRUTHS OF PERSONAL CONDUCT . 1 . The obstinate offender and his doom . ( Proverbs 29:1 .) The repeated complaint against Israel was that they were a "stiff-necked people." Self-willed, haughty, persistent, defying rebuke and chastisement, is the habit described. It invites judgment. "When lesser warnings will not serve, God looks into his quiver for deadly arrows." They who will not bend before the gentle persuasions of God's Holy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous are in authority; rather, as in Proverbs 28:28 , when the righteous are increased ; Vulgate, in multiplicatione justorum . When sinners are put away, and the righteous are in the majority. Septuagint, "when the just are commended." When good men give the tone to society and conduct all affairs according to their own high standard, the peoople rejoice; there is general happiness; prosperity abounds, and voices ring cheerfully ( Proverbs 11:10 ; Proverbs 28:12 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 29:2

The religion of politics I. RELIGION IS CONCERNED WITH POLITICS . Too often the two spheres are kept disastrously distinct. On the one hand, it is pretended that the sacred character of religion would be desecrated by its being dragged into the political arena; and on the other hand, the claim of religion to have a voice in public affairs is set down to the ambition and tyranny of priestcraft. Now, it is not to be supposed that purely religious subjects should be obtruded on the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 29:2

Proverbs 29:2. When the righteous are in authority The Hebrew word here used signifies to increase, either in number, or in dignity and power, but it appears from the opposite clause that the latter is intended in this place. The people rejoice For the blessed effects of their good government; but when the wicked beareth rule When an ungodly man governs; the people mourn For the oppressions and mischiefs which they feel, and for the dreadful judgments of God, which they justly fear. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:1-27

Authority with justice (29:1-27)Many themes that we have already met in Proverbs are repeated in this section: stubbornness, good and bad government, family values, prostitution, justice, flattery, cunning and concern for the poor (29:1-7). Scoffers are more than just fools; they are trouble-makers. They are not open to reason and cannot control their temper (8-11).Unjust rulers oppress innocent citizens, and the rich persecute the poor, but good and bad alike receive the blessings that God... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 29:2

the righteous = righteous ones. in authority = increase, not necessarily in numbers, but in greatness. Compare Proverbs 29:16 , and see note on Proverbs 4:10 , and the next clause. the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 . beareth rule. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read the plural here: "bear rule". read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 29:2

"When the righteous increase, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh."See discussion of this and related proverbs under Proverbs 28:28. read more

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