Proverbs 16:10
New International Version
The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.

New Living Translation
The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.

English Standard Version
An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

Berean Standard Bible
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

King James Bible
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

New King James Version
Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

New American Standard Bible
A divine verdict is on the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

NASB 1995
A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

NASB 1977
A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

Legacy Standard Bible
A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

Amplified Bible
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative]; His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.

Christian Standard Bible
God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

American Standard Version
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

Contemporary English Version
Rulers speak with authority and are never wrong.

English Revised Version
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When a divine revelation is on a king's lips, he cannot voice a wrong judgment.

Good News Translation
The king speaks with divine authority; his decisions are always right.

International Standard Version
When a king is ready to speak officially, what he says should not err with respect to justice.

Majority Standard Bible
A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.

NET Bible
The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice.

New Heart English Bible
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

Webster's Bible Translation
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

World English Bible
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
An oath [is] on the lips of a king, "" In judgment his mouth does not trespass.

Young's Literal Translation
An oath is on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.

Smith's Literal Translation
Divining upon the lips of the king: his mouth will not transgress in judgment.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment.

New American Bible
An oracle is upon the king’s lips, no judgment of his mouth is false.

New Revised Standard Version
Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Oracles are on the lips of the king; his mouth does not err in judgment.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
An oracle is upon the lips of the King, and his mouth will not err in judgment.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth trespasseth not in judgment.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
There is an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. 11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.…

Cross References
James 3:1
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Romans 13:1-4
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

John 19:11
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

Luke 12:47-48
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

Matthew 7:1-2
“Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Acts 23:5
“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

Deuteronomy 17:8-11
If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, ...

2 Chronicles 19:6-7
Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

Psalm 72:1-2
Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. / May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.

Isaiah 11:3-4
And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, / but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.


Treasury of Scripture

A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresses not in judgment.

a divine sentence

Proverbs 16:12,13
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness…

Genesis 44:5,15
Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing…

Deuteronomy 17:18-20
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: …

transgresseth

Hosea 10:4
They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

Amos 5:7
Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,

Amos 6:12
Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:

Jump to Previous
Betray Decision Decisions Divine Err Inspired Judging Judgment Judgments Justice Lips Mouth Oath Oracle Sentence Sin Speak Transgress Transgresseth Wrong
Jump to Next
Betray Decision Decisions Divine Err Inspired Judging Judgment Judgments Justice Lips Mouth Oath Oracle Sentence Sin Speak Transgress Transgresseth Wrong
Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














A divine verdict is on the lips of a king;
In ancient Israel, kings were seen as God's appointed rulers, and their words carried significant weight. The idea of a "divine verdict" suggests that the king's pronouncements were considered to be guided by divine wisdom. This reflects the belief that God granted authority and insight to the king, as seen in the reign of Solomon, who was renowned for his wisdom (1 Kings 3:28). The king's role as a judge and leader was to reflect God's justice and righteousness, aligning with the biblical principle that all authority is established by God (Romans 13:1).

his mouth must not betray justice.
The expectation that a king's mouth "must not betray justice" underscores the importance of integrity and righteousness in leadership. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, justice was a central duty of the king, who was responsible for maintaining order and fairness in society. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of justice, as seen in Micah 6:8, which calls for individuals to "act justly and to love mercy." The king's role as a type of Christ is evident here, as Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate righteous judge (John 5:30), who embodies perfect justice and truth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom and his role as a king who sought to rule with justice and righteousness.

2. Ancient Israel
The context of the proverb is set in the ancient Near Eastern culture where kings were seen as God's appointed rulers, responsible for maintaining justice.

3. Divine Verdict
This refers to the belief that a king's decisions and judgments are guided by divine wisdom and authority.
Teaching Points
The Role of Leadership
Leaders, especially those in positions of authority, are called to seek divine wisdom in their decisions. They should strive to reflect God's justice in their actions.

The Importance of Justice
Justice is a central theme in God's character and should be a priority in leadership. Leaders must ensure their decisions do not betray justice.

Seeking Divine Guidance
Just as a king's verdict is seen as divine, believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance in their daily decisions, ensuring they align with His will.

Integrity in Speech
The proverb emphasizes the importance of integrity in what we say. Our words should reflect truth and justice, avoiding deceit or partiality.

Responsibility of Authority
Those in authority have a responsibility to uphold justice and righteousness, recognizing their role as stewards of God's will on earth.(10) His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.--Or, should not transgress, as being the representative of God upon earth, and so distinguished by the title of "God" himself (Psalm 82:6). This verse recalls the days of Solomon's youth, when it was his highest aspiration to judge his people righteously (1Kings 3:9). Comp. David's noble words (2Samuel 23:3).

Verse 10. - A Divine sentence is in the lips of the king. קֶסֶם (quesem) is "divination," "soothsaying," oracular utterance. Septuagint, μαντεῖον. The king's words have, in people's minds, the certainty and importance of a Divine oracle, putting an end to all controversy or division of opinion. It seems to be a general maxim, not especially referring to Solomon or the theocratic kingdom, but rather indicating the traditional view of the absolute monarchy. The custom of deifying kings and invoking them as gods was usual in Egypt and Eastern countries, and made its way to the West. "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man," cried the people, when Herod addressed them in the amphitheatre at Caesarea (Acts 12:22). The Greeks could say -

Αἰκὼν δὲ βασιλεύς ἐστιν ἔμψυχος Θεοῦ.

"God's very living image is the king." And thus his utterances were regarded as irrefragably true and decisive. His month transgresseth not in judgment. The decisions which he gives are infallible, and, at any rate, irresistible. We may refer to Solomon's famous verdict concerning the two mothers (1 Kings 3:16, etc.), and such sentences as Proverbs 8:15, "By me (wisdom) kings reign, and princes decree justice" (see below on ver. 12; Proverbs 21:1); and David's words (2 Samuel 23:4), "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God" (Wisd. 9:4, 10, 12). Delitzsch regards the second hemistich as giving a warning (consequent on the former clause), and not stating a fact, "In the judgment his mouth should not err." The present chapter contains many admonitions to kings which a wise father like Solomon may have uttered and recorded for the benefit of his son. If this is the case, it is as strange as it is true that Rehoboam made little use of the counsels, and that Solomon's latter days gave the lie to many of them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A divine verdict
קֶ֤סֶם ׀ (qe·sem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7081: A lot, divination, oracle

is on
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the lips
שִׂפְתֵי־ (śip̄·ṯê-)
Noun - fdc
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

of a king;
מֶ֑לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

his mouth
פִּֽיו׃ (pîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

should not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

betray
יִמְעַל־ (yim·‘al-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4603: To cover up, to act covertly, treacherously

justice.
בְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט (bə·miš·pāṭ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style


Links
Proverbs 16:10 NIV
Proverbs 16:10 NLT
Proverbs 16:10 ESV
Proverbs 16:10 NASB
Proverbs 16:10 KJV

Proverbs 16:10 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 16:10 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 16:10 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 16:10 French Bible
Proverbs 16:10 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:10 Inspired judgments are on the lips (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 16:9
Top of Page
Top of Page