Proverbs 8:16
"By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

By me princes rule,.... All governors of provinces and cities, who are under the king as supreme; the discharge of whose office in a right manner requires much wisdom, prudence, justice, and integrity; all which they have from Christ, as well as

their power of ruling, that rule well; and nobles, even all the judges of the earth; the word (e) for nobles signifies persons of a "free" spirit, generous, bountiful men; such as are called "benefactors", Luk 22:25 ; so one of the Ptolemys, king of Egypt, was called Evergetes. Such who govern, not in a cruel and rigorous manner, but with clemency and gentleness; who, as they are "free" and noble themselves, their subjects are a free people, and enjoy their privileges and liberties fully and quietly. And "the judges of the earth" are such, as sit on benches of justice, hear and try causes, and pass sentence on men; which requires great skill and knowledge, and much faithfulness and integrity, which all that perform their office aright have from Christ. How great therefore must he be! how wise and just! from whom all rulers, supreme and subordinate, have their power; prudence, generosity, and justice! (e) "munifici sive liberales", Vatablus; "ingenui", Junius & Tremellius, Gejerus; "munifici", Piscator; "generosi", Schultens.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (6 words)

H8269 שַׂר
Definition:

38+,הַשַּׂרMicah 7:3+,שָׂ֑רHosea 3:4+; constructשַׂרJudges 4:2+; suffixשַׂרְכֶםDaniel 10:21; pluralשָׂרִים1 Kings 4:2+; constructשָׂרֵיGenesis 12:15+; suffixשָׂרַיJudges 5:15;Isaiah 10:8,שָׂרֵיכֶםJere 38+,הַשַּׂרMicah 7:3+,שָׂ֑רHosea 3:4+; constructשַׂרJudges 4:2+; suffixשַׂרְכֶםDaniel 10:21; pluralשָׂרִים1 Kings 4:2+; constructשָׂרֵיGenesis 12:15+; suffixשָׂרַיJudges 5:15;Isaiah 10:8,שָׂרֵיכֶםJere

Possible Meanings:
  • navel-string (semantic_range)
H8323 שָׂרַר
Definition:

13During Korah’s uprising, Dathan and Abiram accuse Moses: “you also make yourself a prince over us” (Numbers 16:13). Here שָׂרַר depicts a claim to authority that lacks popular consent and, more impo 13During Korah’s uprising, Dathan and Abiram accuse Moses: “you also make yourself a prince over us” (Numbers 16:13). Here שָׂרַר depicts a claim to authority that lacks popular consent and, more impo

Possible Meanings:
  • act as (semantic_range)
  • rule (semantic_range)
  • ruled over Isr. (semantic_range)
H5081 נָדִיב
Definition:

8inclined, Generous, noble; — absolute׳נIsaiah 32:56t.; constructנְדִיבExodus 35:52t.; feminineנְדִיבָהPsalm 51:4; pluralנְדִיבִיםIsaiah 13:29t.; constructנְדִיבֵיNumbers 21:182t.; suffixנְדִיבֵמוֺPsa 8inclined, Generous, noble; — absolute׳נIsaiah 32:56t.; constructנְדִיבExodus 35:52t.; feminineנְדִיבָהPsalm 51:4; pluralנְדִיבִיםIsaiah 13:29t.; constructנְדִיבֵיNumbers 21:182t.; suffixנְדִיבֵמוֺPsa

Possible Meanings:
  • incited (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H8199 שָׁפַט
Definition:

31+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמֹּטGenesis 16:5,יִשְׁמּוֺטIsaiah 11:3; 3masculine pluralיִשְׁמְּטוּGenesis 31:53+,יִשְׁמּ֫וּטוּExodus 18:26(Kiיִשְׁמּוּט֫וּ; compare Ges§ 47g), etc.;Infinit 31+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמֹּטGenesis 16:5,יִשְׁמּוֺטIsaiah 11:3; 3masculine pluralיִשְׁמְּטוּGenesis 31:53+,יִשְׁמּ֫וּטוּExodus 18:26(Kiיִשְׁמּוּט֫וּ; compare Ges§ 47g), etc.;Infinit

Possible Meanings:
  • judge (semantic_range)
H6664 צֶדֶק
Definition:

21rightness, righteousness; —׳צLeviticus 19:3687t.;צִדְקִיIsaiah 41:108t., etc.; —1what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures,אֵיפָה,אֶבֶןשְׁלֵמָה וָצֶדֶקDeuteronomy 25: 21rightness, righteousness; —׳צLeviticus 19:3687t.;צִדְקִיIsaiah 41:108t., etc.; —1what is right, just, normal; rightness, justness, of weights and measures,אֵיפָה,אֶבֶןשְׁלֵמָה וָצֶדֶקDeuteronomy 25:

Possible Meanings:
  • be just (semantic_range)
  • have a just cause, (semantic_range)
  • be in the right (semantic_range)
  • be justified (semantic_range)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

---

Get the daily verse delivered free

Create Free Account

Automatic daily verse emails after signup

← Chapter 8 All Chapters