A land in rebellion has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order.
Parallel translations
- WEB In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
- KJV For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
- NKJV Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; But by a man of understanding and knowledge Right will be prolonged.
- NASB Due to a wrongdoing of a land its leaders are many, But by a person of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.
- NLT When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.
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
Lawlessness fractures a nation into many rivals, but wise leadership brings stability. It shows how godly understanding sustains social order.
Overview
When a land is rebellious, it suffers many competing rulers and instability, but a person of understanding maintains lasting order. The verse links national well-being to wise, righteous governance. It anticipates the longing for a perfectly wise and just ruler, fulfilled in Christ, whose government and peace will have no end (Isaiah 9:7).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- 1 Kgs 16:8–29In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.
- Job 22:28–30Your decisions will be carried out, and light will shine on your ways.
- Gen 45:5–8And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.
- 1 Kgs 15:28In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha killed Nadab and reigned in his place.
- 2 Kgs 15:8–31In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah’s reign over Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria six months.
- Dan 4:27Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
- 2 Chr 32:20–26In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,
- 1 Kgs 15:25In the second year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned two years.
- 2 Chr 36:1–12Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in Jerusalem in place of his father.
- Isa 3:1–7For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,
- Hos 13:11So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.
- Isa 58:12Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of the Streets of Dwelling.
- Eccl 9:15Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
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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 28:2 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.