Proverbs 16:12
New International Version
Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.

New Living Translation
A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.

English Standard Version
It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible
Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

King James Bible
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

New King James Version
It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.

New American Standard Bible
It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, Because a throne is established on righteousness.

NASB 1995
It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness.

NASB 1977
It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established on righteousness.

Legacy Standard Bible
It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For in righteousness a throne is established.

Amplified Bible
It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly, For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).

Christian Standard Bible
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.

American Standard Version
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.

Contemporary English Version
Justice makes rulers powerful. They should hate evil

English Revised Version
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings because a throne is established through righteousness.

Good News Translation
Kings cannot tolerate evil, because justice is what makes a government strong.

International Standard Version
Kings detest wrongdoing, for through righteousness the throne is established.

Majority Standard Bible
Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.

NET Bible
Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness.

New Heart English Bible
It is an abomination to kings to do wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.

Webster's Bible Translation
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

World English Bible
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Doing wickedness [is] an abomination to kings, "" For a throne is established by righteousness.

Young's Literal Translation
An abomination to kings is doing wickedness, For by righteousness is a throne established.

Smith's Literal Translation
An abomination of kings to do injustice: for in justice shall the throne be prepared.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.

New American Bible
Wrongdoing is an abomination to kings, for by justice the throne endures.

New Revised Standard Version
It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Kings who commit wickedness are an abomination; for a throne is established by righteousness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Kings that do evil are defiled because the throne is established in righteousness.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; For the throne is established by righteousness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern. 12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. 13Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.…

Cross References
Romans 13:3-4
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. / For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

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 32:1
Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.

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.

2 Samuel 23:3
The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,

Proverbs 29:4
By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it.

Jeremiah 22:3
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

1 Kings 10:9
Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.”

Daniel 4:27
Therefore, 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.”

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Matthew 22:21
“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

Psalm 101:6-8
My eyes favor the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way of integrity shall minister to me. / No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who tells lies shall stand in my presence. / Every morning I will remove all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD.

Isaiah 11:4-5
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. / Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist.

Luke 3:12-14
Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” / “Collect no more than you are authorized,” he answered. / Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”


Treasury of Scripture

It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

an

Proverbs 28:9
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Deuteronomy 25:16
For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Luke 12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

for

Proverbs 20:18
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

Proverbs 25:5
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

Proverbs 29:14
The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

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Abomination Acts Based Commit Detest Disgusting Established Evil Evil-Doing Kings Righteousness Ruler Seat Throne Wicked Wickedness Wrong Wrongdoing
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Abomination Acts Based Commit Detest Disgusting Established Evil Evil-Doing Kings Righteousness Ruler Seat Throne Wicked Wickedness Wrong Wrongdoing
Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














Wicked behavior
The Hebrew word for "wicked" is "רֶשַׁע" (resha), which conveys a sense of moral wrongness, injustice, or guilt. In the context of ancient Israel, wickedness was not merely a personal failing but a societal threat. Kings, as leaders, were expected to uphold justice and righteousness. Wicked behavior undermines the moral fabric of society and is therefore detestable to those in authority who are charged with maintaining order and justice.

is detestable
The Hebrew word "תּוֹעֲבַת" (to'evah) is often translated as "abomination" or "detestable." This term is used throughout the Old Testament to describe actions that are morally repugnant to God. In the context of a king, wicked behavior is not just undesirable but is seen as a direct affront to the divine order that the king is supposed to uphold. This highlights the expectation that rulers should reflect God's standards of holiness and justice.

to kings
In ancient Israel, the king was seen as God's appointed ruler, responsible for leading the people in accordance with divine law. The king's role was not only political but also spiritual, serving as a mediator between God and the people. Therefore, wicked behavior is particularly offensive to kings because it contradicts their God-given mandate to govern with righteousness and justice.

for a throne
The "throne" symbolizes the seat of power and authority. In biblical times, a throne was not just a physical chair but represented the stability and legitimacy of a ruler's reign. The throne is a metaphor for the king's rule and the kingdom's governance. A throne established through righteousness is one that is secure and enduring, reflecting the divine approval and blessing.

is established
The Hebrew word "כּוּן" (kun) means to be firm, stable, or secure. This word suggests that righteousness provides a solid foundation for leadership. A throne established through righteousness is one that is built on a firm moral and ethical foundation, ensuring its longevity and success. This reflects the biblical principle that true stability and security come from aligning with God's righteous standards.

through righteousness
The Hebrew word "צְדָקָה" (tsedaqah) refers to righteousness, justice, or moral integrity. In the biblical context, righteousness is not just about personal piety but involves social justice and ethical behavior. A king's rule is established through righteousness when it reflects God's character and upholds His laws. This underscores the biblical teaching that leadership should be characterized by justice, fairness, and a commitment to the common good.

(12) It is an abomination to kings. . . .--This and the following verse are, like Proverbs 16:10, descriptive of the ideal king who, above all things, loves truth and justice. Psalms 72 works out the thought more fully. How feebly the character was fulfilled by Solomon or the best of his successors the history of Israel shews. It was too high a conception for man to carry out, and was fulfilled only in the person of David's Son, who is "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16).

Verse 12. - It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness. This and the following verse give the ideal view of the monarch - that which he ought to be rather than what be is (comp. Psalm 72.). Certainly neither Solomon nor many of his successors exhibited this high character. The Septuagint, followed by some modern commentators, translates, "He who doeth wickedness is an abomination to kings;" but as the "righteousness" in the second clause (the throne is established by righteousness) undoubtedly refers to the king, so it is more natural to take the "wickedness" in the first member as being his own, not his subjects'. When a ruler acts justly and wisely, punishes the unruly, rewards the virtuous, acts as God's vicegerent, and himself sets the example of the character which becomes so high a position, he wins the affection of his people, they willingly obey him. and are ready to die for him and his family (comp. Proverbs 25:5; Isaiah 16:5). Lawmakers should not be law breakers. Seneca, 'Thyest.,' 215 -

"Ubi non est pudor,
Nec cura juris, sanctitas, pietas, fides,
Instabile regnum est."


Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Wicked
רֶ֑שַׁע (re·ša‘)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7562: Wickedness

behavior
עֲשׂ֣וֹת (‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

is detestable
תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת (tō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

to kings,
מְ֭לָכִים (mə·lā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a throne
כִּסֵּֽא׃ (kis·sê)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

is established
יִכּ֥וֹן (yik·kō·wn)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

through righteousness.
בִ֝צְדָקָ֗ה (ḇiṣ·ḏā·qāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:12 It is an abomination for kings (Prov. Pro Pr)
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