Proverbs 29:4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 29:4

Here is, 1. The happiness of a people under a good government. The care and business of a prince should be to establish the land, to maintain its fundamental laws, to settle the minds of his subjects and make them easy, to secure their liberties and properties from hostilities and for posterity, and to set in order the things that are wanting; this he must do by judgment, by wise counsels, and by the steady administration of justice, without respect of persons, which will have these good... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 29:4

The king by judgment establisheth the land ,.... By executing, judgment and justice among his subjects, he establishes the laws of the land, and the government of it; he secures its peace and prosperity, and preserves his people in the possession at their properties and privileges; and makes them rich and powerful, and the state stable and flourishing, so that it continues firm to posterity; such a king was Solomon, 2 Chronicles 9:8 ; but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it ; that,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 29:4

He that receiveth gifts - This was notoriously the case in this kingdom, before the passing of the Magna Charta, or great charter of liberties. Hence that article in it, Nulli vendemus justitiam ; "We will not sell justice to any." I have met with cases in our ancient records where, in order to get his right, a man was obliged almost to ruin himself in presents to the king, queen, and their favourites, to get the case decided in his favor. 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 29:4

Many of the proverbs in this chapter seem to suit the time of Jeroboam II . (see on Proverbs 28:3 ). The king by judgment establisheth the land. The king, the fountain of justice, by his equitable government brings his country into a healthy and settled condition. In the security of the throne the land and people participate. He that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. The expression, אִישׁ תְּרוּמוֹת ( ish terumoth ), "man of offerings," "man of gifts," is ambiguous: it may... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 29:4

Proverbs 29:4. The king by judgment By the free and impartial exercise of justice; establisheth the land Restores his kingdom to a firm and good state, though it might before be in great disorder; but he that receiveth gifts Hebrew, אישׁ תרומות , a man of oblations, or gifts, whose delight and common practice it is to take bribes and sell justice; overthroweth it Subverts it utterly, though it might before be never so well settled. 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 29:4

he = a man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . receiveth gifts = is open to bribes. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 29:4

"The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it."A policy of excessive taxation has usually been the primary cause of every fallen government in the history of the world. "A king by justice gives stability to a land, but he whose exactions are excessive ruins it."[2] This rendition is applicable, not merely to excessive taxation, but to bribery by the `exaction of gifts.' "By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who exacts gifts ruins it."[3] read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 29:4

Proverbs 29:4. He that receiveth gifts— i.e. He who rigorously exacteth tribute, or requires rich presents to be made to him. Houbigant renders the verse, The king who judgeth justly establisheth the land, he who exacteth gifts overturneth it. read more