Proverbs 18:5
Proverbs 18:5 in Multiple Translations
Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
It's not right to show favoritism to the guilty and rob the innocent of justice.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to cause ye righteous to fall in iudgement.
Acceptance of the face of the wicked [is] not good, To turn aside the righteous in judgment.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
It is not good for a judge to decide matters in favor of those who ◄are guilty/have done wicked things► and to not do what is just for those who ◄are innocent/have not done what is wrong►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 18:5
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 18:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שְׂאֵ֣ת
פְּנֵי
רָשָׁ֣ע
לֹא
ט֑וֹב
לְ/הַטּ֥וֹת
צַ֝דִּ֗יק
בַּ/מִּשְׁפָּֽט
שְׂאֵ֣ת
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal-Inf-a
פְּנֵי
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
רָשָׁ֣ע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
לְ/הַטּ֥וֹת
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
צַ֝דִּ֗יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Adj
בַּ/מִּשְׁפָּֽט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 18:5
שְׂאֵ֣ת
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal-Inf-a
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
פְּנֵי
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
רָשָׁ֣ע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
לֹא
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.
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
לְ/הַטּ֥וֹת
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
צַ֝דִּ֗יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
בַּ/מִּשְׁפָּֽט
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.
Study Notes — Proverbs 18:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 18:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 18:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
- Sermons on Proverbs 18:5
Context — The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
3With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace.
4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
5Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice.
6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leviticus 19:15 | You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 16:19 | Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. |
| 3 | Proverbs 28:21 | To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. |
| 4 | Psalms 82:2 | “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah |
| 5 | Proverbs 17:15 | Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD. |
| 6 | Proverbs 24:23 | These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 1:16–17 | At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” |
| 8 | Isaiah 5:23 | who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice. |
| 9 | Matthew 22:16 | They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance. |
| 10 | 1 Kings 21:9–14 | In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent word to Jezebel: “Naboth has been stoned to death.” |
Proverbs 18:5 Summary
This verse teaches us that it's not right to favor people who do wrong or to deny justice to those who are innocent. This is because God is a God of fairness and justice, as we see in Psalms 89:14. When we show partiality to the wicked or deprive the innocent of justice, we are going against God's nature and can cause harm to ourselves and others. By following this verse, we can work to create a more just and fair community, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, as encouraged in Micah 6:8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to show partiality to the wicked?
Showing partiality to the wicked means favoring or giving unfair advantage to those who do evil, which is contrary to God's nature as seen in Deuteronomy 10:17 and Romans 2:11. This can lead to injustice and undermine the righteousness of God.
How can depriving the innocent of justice affect a community?
Depriving the innocent of justice can lead to a breakdown of trust and social order, as seen in Isaiah 10:1-2, and can ultimately bring judgment from God, as warned in Proverbs 24:23-25.
Is it ever right to show partiality or favoritism in a legal or social context?
No, according to Proverbs 18:5 and other scriptures like Leviticus 19:15, showing partiality or favoritism is not just or righteous, as it undermines the principle of fairness and equality before the law.
What is the relationship between this verse and the command to love our neighbors as ourselves?
Loving our neighbors as ourselves, as commanded in Leviticus 19:18 and Mark 12:31, involves treating them with fairness and justice, which is the opposite of showing partiality to the wicked or depriving the innocent of justice.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways might I be unintentionally showing partiality to the wicked in my own life, and how can I correct this?
- How can I ensure that I am treating all people with fairness and justice, regardless of their background or circumstances?
- What are some practical ways I can advocate for justice for the innocent in my community, in light of this verse?
- In what ways does this verse challenge my own biases or prejudices, and how can I work to overcome them?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 18:5
[It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked,.... For a judge to have respect to a wicked man in a cause before him, and to favour him, because he is a rich man, or a relation, or he has
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18:5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked-to show partiality to them, so as-to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
It is not good, i.e. it is a most wicked and hateful thing. See Poole ",26. To accept the person; to favour his unrighteous cause.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
Proverbs 18:5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.Ver. 5. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked.] Indeed, it is so bad as can hardly be expressed, and is therefore here set forth by the figure liptote; which is, say grammarians, cum minus dicitur, plus intelligitur, when little is said, but more is understood. This accepting of persons, declared here to be so very naught, is either in passing sentence of judgment, of which see Leviticus 19:15; or otherwise in common conversation, of which read James 2:1-4. To overthrow the righteous in judgment.] Which is the easilier done, because they cannot quarrel and contend as the wicked can. "The fool’ s lips enter into contentions"; they have an art in it; they are dexterous at it; it is their trade and study to brabble and wrangle, to set a good face upon an ill matter, to rail and out brave, to set men further at odds, and to embitter their spirits one against another. This is a trick they have learned of their father the devil; and this their graceless speeches do as directly tend unto, as if they had legs to go into contention. Ut apud Virgil. Nec nulla innata est inaratae gratia terrae. - Georg., ii.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
Verse 5. To accept the person of the wicked] We must not, in judicial cases, pay any attention to a man's riches, influence, friends, offices, &c., but judge the case according to its own merits. But when the wicked rich man opposes and oppresses the poor righteous, then all those things should be utterly forgotten.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 18:5
5. to overthrow] i.e. so as to, or with a view to, overthrow. See R.V. marg. Better perhaps with R.V. text, nor to turn aside.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 18:5
5. It is not good — That is, it is bad, wrong. (See on Proverbs 17:26.) To accept the person — Or face; to show partiality to the wicked on account of his wealth, respectability, or other like reason. (Comp.
Sermons on Proverbs 18:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
God’s War on Poverty and Riches by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon titled "God's War on Poverty and Riches," Dr. J. Vernon McGee discusses the concept of poverty and riches from a biblical perspective. He highlights that God is not |
|
Epistle 367 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the necessity of living a life of righteousness and holiness, as it is essential for seeing God and maintaining peace within a community. He warns that unholi |
|
Holl-09 Israel in the Cosmic Drama by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a prophetic perspective that considers eternity and its impact on the present. He calls out the church in Holland to |
|
David's Prayer for Relief by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith shares the story of how God transformed the lives of 10 men, including Greg Laurie, Raul Rees, Mike McIntosh, John Corson, and Skip Heitzig, who |
|
(Missions Conference Shoals) - Part 2 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the movie "The Passion" and his response to it. He expresses his fear of watching the film due to the emotional impact it may have on him. Th |
|
(Blood Covenant) the Mark of God or the Mark of the Beast - 1 by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the judgment that will come on the last day. He emphasizes that many people have been spiritually asleep and have confused good with evil and |
|
|
The Meaning of the Cross by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker begins by asserting his right to critique the church's understanding of the gospel based on historical context. He distinguishes between theologians and |