Proverbs 16:10
Proverbs 16:10 in Multiple Translations
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
A diuine sentence shalbe in the lips of the King: his mouth shall not transgresse in iudgement.
An oath [is] on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
If God directs what a king says, what he decides is always right/fair.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 16:10
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 16:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
קֶ֤סֶם
עַֽל
שִׂפְתֵי
מֶ֑לֶךְ
בְּ֝/מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
לֹ֣א
יִמְעַל
פִּֽי/ו
קֶ֤סֶם
qeçem
H7081
divination
N-ms
עַֽל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
שִׂפְתֵי
sâphâh
H8193
lips
N-fd
מֶ֑לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
בְּ֝/מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
Prep | N-ms
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִמְעַל
mâʻal
H4603
be unfaithful
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
פִּֽי/ו
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 16:10
קֶ֤סֶם
qeçem
H7081
"divination"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to the act of seeking guidance through witchcraft or divination, which was common among false prophets. It can also mean a reward or payment for such services. The Bible warns against these practices in Deuteronomy and other books.
Definition: 1) divination, witchcraft 1a) of the nations, Balaam 1b) of false prophets 1c) in a good sense (king's lips as oracles)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: (reward of) divination, divine sentence, witchcraft. See also: Numbers 22:7; Proverbs 16:10; Jeremiah 14:14.
עַֽל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
שִׂפְתֵי
sâphâh
H8193
"lips"
N-fd
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
מֶ֑לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
בְּ֝/מִשְׁפָּ֗ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
Prep | N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִמְעַל
mâʻal
H4603
"be unfaithful"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to be unfaithful or act treacherously, covering up or acting secretly against someone. It's used to describe actions against people or God, such as committing a trespass or transgressing. The Bible translates it as 'transgress' or 'trespass'.
Definition: 1) to act unfaithfully, act treacherously, transgress, commit a trespass 1a) (Qal) to act unfaithfully or treacherously 1a1) against man 1a2) against God 1a3) against devoted thing 1a4) against husband
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: transgress, (commit, do a) trespass(-ing). See also: Leviticus 5:15; 2 Chronicles 28:19; Proverbs 16:10.
פִּֽי/ו
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
Study Notes — Proverbs 16:10
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 16:10 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 16:10
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 16:10
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 16:10
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 16:10
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
- Sermons on Proverbs 16:10
Context — The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD
8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern. 12Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 32:1–2 | Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land. |
| 2 | Genesis 44:5 | Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’” |
| 3 | Genesis 44:15 | “What is this deed you have done?” Joseph declared. “Do you not know that a man like me can surely divine the truth?” |
| 4 | Proverbs 16:12–13 | Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 23:5–6 | Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. |
| 6 | Hosea 10:4 | They speak mere words; with false oaths they make covenants. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field. |
| 7 | Amos 5:7 | There are those who turn justice into wormwood and cast righteousness to the ground. |
| 8 | Psalms 72:1–4 | Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice. May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. |
| 9 | Psalms 45:6–7 | Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy. |
| 10 | 2 Samuel 23:3–4 | The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’ |
Proverbs 16:10 Summary
This verse, Proverbs 16:10, reminds us that those in positions of authority, like kings or leaders, have a special responsibility to speak and act in a way that is fair and just. This means being honest and truthful in all they say and do, and not using their power to take advantage of others, as encouraged in Psalm 15:1-5. As followers of God, we can apply this principle to our own lives by seeking to be people of integrity and honesty, and by using our own influence to promote justice and righteousness, as seen in Micah 6:8. By doing so, we can help create a more just and fair world, and bring glory to God, as encouraged in Matthew 5:16.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a king's mouth to 'not betray justice'?
This means that a king, or anyone in a position of authority, should always speak and act in a way that is fair and just, as seen in Proverbs 16:10, and as encouraged in Psalm 101:5, where we are told to not tolerate wrongdoing in those who rule over us.
Is this verse only talking about actual kings, or can it apply to other leaders too?
While the verse specifically mentions a king, the principle of speaking and acting justly applies to all leaders, as seen in Romans 13:1-7, where we are taught to respect and obey those in authority over us, and to lead with integrity and honesty if we are in a position of authority ourselves.
How does a king, or leader, know what is just and what is not?
A leader can know what is just by seeking wisdom from God, as encouraged in Proverbs 9:10, and by following the principles of righteousness and fairness found in Scripture, such as in Micah 6:8, where we are told to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
What happens if a king, or leader, fails to speak and act justly?
If a leader fails to speak and act justly, it can lead to corruption, oppression, and ultimately, the downfall of their leadership, as seen in Proverbs 29:4, where we are told that a ruler who oppresses the poor will ultimately be overthrown.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, as a follower of God, can speak and act with justice and integrity in my own life, even if I am not in a position of authority?
- How can I balance the need to speak truth and stand up for what is right, with the need to be compassionate and understanding towards others, as seen in Proverbs 16:10 and Matthew 23:23?
- In what ways can I use my own voice and influence to promote justice and righteousness in my community, and to support leaders who do the same?
- What are some potential consequences of failing to speak and act with justice and integrity, both for myself and for those around me, and how can I avoid these consequences by following God's principles of righteousness?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 16:10
A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king,.... Or "divination" (f), as the word signifies; or what is like to divination, as Aben Ezra and Gersom interpret it (g). What be says is as an oracle, and should be strictly true.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 16:10
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A divine sentence (is) in the lips of the king.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
A divine sentence, Heb. divination, which is sometimes taken in a good sense for prudence, as it is . A great sagacity and piercing judgment to discern dubious and difficult cases. Is; or, should be; for the verb is wanting in the Hebrew, and this may be supplied as well as is. And he seems not so much to speak of the matter of fact, as if it were thus in all kings, which is notoriously and confessedly untrue, as of the duty of kings, in whom wisdom is a necessary qualification. For thus the two following proverbs concerning kings, ,13, must be understood, otherwise they are repugnant to common experience. Of the king; either, 1. Of wise kings, who only are worthy of that name and office; king being here put for a wise king, as a name is put for a good name, and a woman for a good woman, ; and then this is true in fact, as it was in David. , and in Solomon, . Or, 2. Of kings in general, in the sense before given; for seeing the word is generally expressed without any limitation, both here and ,13, it may seem presumption to confine it to those few kings which are or were wise and good. Transgresseth not; or, shall or should not transgress, or go beyond the bounds of religion and justice.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
Proverbs 16:10 A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.Ver. 10. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king.] It is, or should be. His words usually pass for oracles, and many times stand for laws. It should be his care, therefore, to "speak as the oracles of God." Yea, "so to speak, and so to do, as one that shall be judged by the law of liberty," or, as some read it, As they that should judge by the law of liberty. Our old word Koning, and by contraction King, comes of Con, saith Becanus, which comprehends three things, Possum, scio, audeo - I can do it, I know how to do it, and I dare do it. If either he want power, or skill, or courage to do justice, the people, instead of admiring his divinations, will cry out of him, as the Romans did of Pompey, Miseria nostra magnus est: This great one is our great misery. His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.] Viz, If he ask counsel at God’ s mouth, as David did, and execute "justice, justice," as Moses speaks, that is, pure justice, without mud or mixture of selfish affections sparing neither the great for might, nor the mean for misery.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
(10) His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.—Or, should not transgress, as being the representative of God upon earth, and so distinguished by the title of “God” himself (Psalms 82:6). This verse recalls the days of Solomon’s youth, when it was his highest aspiration to judge his people righteously (1 Kings 3:9). Comp. David’s noble words (2 Samuel 23:3).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
Verse 10. A divine sentence] קסם kesem, "divination," as the margin has it. Is the meaning as follows? Though divination were applied to a righteous king's lips, to induce him to punish the innocent and spare the guilty, yet would not his lips transgress in judgment; so firmly attached is he to God, and so much is he under the Divine care and influence. Whatever judgment such a one pronounces, it may be considered as a decision from God.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 16:10
10. A divine sentence] Lit. divination, A.V. and R.V. marg. The word is generally used in a bad sense, “soothsaying.” See Deuteronomy 18:10, where it is positively forbidden, and 1 Samuel 15:23, where it is called a “sin.” Here, however, it has a good meaning: the true king in judgement, like the true prophet in preaching, “speaks as oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11. See 1 Kings 3:28).
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 16:10
A divine sentence - See the margin, i. e., “soothsaying” in its darker aspect as contrasted with prophecy.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 16:10
10. A divine sentence — Or, decision. χρν, (kesem,) an oracle.
Sermons on Proverbs 16:10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Christ in Isaiah) Part 2 by Tom Orr | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking to excel in Christian experience. He refers to the verse in 1 Corinthians 12 where it says to earnestly desire the |
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(Isaiah) Our Beautiful King by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of focusing on the Lord and His attributes. He encourages the listeners to meditate on the images of the Lord as a river, a s |
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As Your Righteousness- 1 cor.1:30 by Andrew Murray | Andrew Murray emphasizes the foundational role of righteousness in the believer's life, as presented in 1 Corinthians 1:30. He explains that true peace and spiritual prosperity can |
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Marks of the Righteous by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the characteristics of true ministers of God as foretold by the prophet Isaiah, highlighting that they will proclaim the all-sufficiency of Christ and li |
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Jerusalem – Center of Worship and Government by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby emphasizes the significance of Jerusalem as the center of worship and government, asserting that the Jewish people will be the royal nation under Christ's dominio |
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Epistle 284 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of living in the peace and truth of Christ, who removes the curse and rules in righteousness. He encourages believers to let righteousness flow |
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A Vision of the King by Arno Clemens Gaebelein | Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the blessed occupation of prayerfully searching God's Word to discover new glories of Him, emphasizing the inexhaustible theme of the written |