Proverbs 29 KJV
Discipline and Justice
Proverbs Chapter 29: Discipline and Justice
This chapter explores themes of Leadership. The reference to 'vision' in verse 18 denotes prophetic revelation (chazon) rather than personal goals, framing societal collapse as the direct result of absent divine word and paralleling the scarcity motif in 1 Samuel 3:1.
1e, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
23 A manโs pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
26 Many seek the rulerโs favour; but every manโs judgment cometh from the LORD.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
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Did You Know?
The reference to 'vision' in verse 18 denotes prophetic revelation (chazon) rather than personal goals, framing societal collapse as the direct result of absent divine word and paralleling the scarcity motif in 1 Samuel 3:1.
Verse 13's claim that Yahweh 'lighteneth both' the eyes of the poor and the oppressor asserts divine impartiality in sustaining life, a theological principle that resonates with Job's courtroom imagery of shared creaturely dependence.
Proverbs 29:4's assertion that a king 'establisheth the land' by justice echoes the Egyptian concept of ma'at upheld by pharaohs, revealing how Israelite wisdom adapted neighboring royal ideology while subordinating it to Yahweh's law.
The 'snare' metaphor in verse 25 for the fear of man introduces an internal psychological mechanism of entrapment, shifting the chapter's focus from external governance to the personal decision of trust that alone guarantees safety.
Verse 26's contrast between seeking the ruler's favor and receiving judgment from the Lord functions as the chapter's theological pivot, redirecting attention from human courts to divine adjudication in a manner that anticipates later apocalyptic justice themes.