In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.
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.
- BSB A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
- 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 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 4:20–21Judah and Israel were numerous as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
- 2 Kgs 13:7For he didn’t leave to Jehoahaz of the people any more than fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the king of Syria destroyed them, and made them like the dust in threshing.
- Exod 1:22Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”
- Exod 1:12But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out. They were grieved because of the children of Israel.
- 1 Kgs 20:27The children of Israel were mustered and given provisions, and went against them. The children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of young goats; but the Syrians filled the country.
- 2 Kgs 10:32–33In those days Yahweh began to cut away parts of Israel; and Hazael struck them in all the borders of Israel;
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.