A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
Parallel translations
- WEB In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
- KJV In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
- ESV In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.
- NKJV In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.
- NASB In a multitude of people is a king’s glory, But in the scarcity of people is a prince’s ruin.
- NLT A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A king's glory lies in a multitude of people, while a lack of subjects ruins a ruler. A leader's strength is bound up with those he serves.
Overview
This proverb observes that a ruler's honor and security depend on a flourishing populace, not merely on personal power. Good government cares for the welfare and growth of the people. The principle hints at the greater King whose kingdom grows as peoples from every nation are gathered to Him (Revelation 7:9).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- 1 Kgs 4:20–21The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
- 2 Kgs 13:7Jehoahaz had no army left, except fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers, because the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.
- Exod 1:22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people: “Every son born to the Hebrews you must throw into the Nile, but every daughter you may allow to live.”
- Exod 1:12But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and flourished; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.
- 1 Kgs 20:27The Israelites also mobilized, gathered supplies, and marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped before them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside.
- 2 Kgs 10:32–33In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 14:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.