Proverbs 8:15

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

American King James Version (AKJV)

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

American Standard Version (ASV)

By me kings reign, And princes decree justice.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

Through me kings have their power, and rulers give right decisions.

Webster's Revision

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

World English Bible

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

English Revised Version (ERV)

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

Clarke's Proverbs 8:15 Bible Commentary

By me kings reign - Every wise and prudent king is such through the influence of Divine wisdom. And just laws and their righteous administration come from this source. In this and the following verse five degrees of civil power and authority are mentioned.

1. מלכים melachim, Kings.

2. רזנים rozenim, Consuls.

3. שרים sarim, Princes, Chiefs of the people.

4. נדיבים nedibim, Nobles. And

5. שפטים shophetim, Judges or Civil Magistrates\\\ppar All orders of government are from God. Instead of שפטי ארץ shophetey arets,"judges of the earth," שפטי צרק shophetey tsedek, "righteous judges," or "judges of righteousness," is the reading of one hundred and sixty-two of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., both in the text and in the margin, and of several ancient editions. And this is the reading of the Vulgate, the Chaldee, and the Syriac, and should undoubtedly supersede the other.

Barnes's Proverbs 8:15 Bible Commentary

Not only the common life of common men, but the exercise of the highest sovereignty, must have this Wisdom as its ground. Compare with this passage Proverbs 8:15-21 the teaching of 1 Kings 3:5-14. The word rendered "princes" Proverbs 8:15 is different from that in Proverbs 8:16; the first might, perhaps, be rendered "rulers."

Wesley's Proverbs 8:15 Bible Commentary

8:15 By me - They rule their kingdoms wisely and justly, by my counsel and assistance. Their injustice is from themselves, but all the good they do, they owe to my conduct.