It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.
Parallel translations
- WEB It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
- KJV It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
- BSB Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
- NASB It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, Because a throne is established on righteousness.
- NLT A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.
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
Kings should detest wrongdoing, since righteousness secures a throne. It matters because just rule, not mere power, gives lasting stability to authority.
Overview
The proverb teaches that wickedness should be abhorrent to rulers because righteousness is the true foundation of a throne. Power built on injustice is unstable and self-destructive. This anticipates the everlasting throne of Christ, established forever on righteousness and justice (Psalm 45:6-7; Hebrews 1:8).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Prov 25:5Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
- Prov 29:14The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
- Luke 12:48but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
- Prov 28:9He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
- Deut 25:16For all who do such things, all who do unrighteously, are an abomination to Yahweh your God.
- Ps 99:4The King’s strength also loves justice. You do establish equity. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.
- Rev 19:11I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.
- Prov 20:18Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
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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 16:12 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.