Proverbs 18:5

18:4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

KJV

To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, nor to deprive the innocent of justice.

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

18:6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

What does Proverbs 18:5 mean?

Proverbs 18:5 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include טוֹב (ṭôwb), נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ), פָּנִים (pânîym). It connects to 6 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

not

goodטוֹבṭôwb/tobe/H2896good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)

acceptנָשָׂאnâsâʼ/naw-saw'/H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

the

personפָּנִיםpânîym/paw-neem'/H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)

the

wicked,רָשָׁעrâshâʻ/raw-shaw'/H7563morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

overthrowנָטָהnâṭâh/naw-taw'/H5186to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application

the

righteousצַדִּיקtsaddîyq/tsad-deek'/H6662just

judgment.מִשְׁפָּטmishpâṭ/mish-pawt'/H4941properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style

Commentary on Proverbs 18:5

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 18:5

This justly condemns those who, being employed in the administration of justice, pervert judgment, 1. By conniving at men's crimes, and protecting and countenancing them in oppression and violence, because of their dignity, or wealth, or some personal kindness they have for them. Whatever excuses men may make for it, certainly it is not good thus to accept the person of the wicked; it is an offence to God, an affront to justice, a wrong to mankind, and a real service done to the kingdom of sin and Satan. The merits of the cause must be regarded, not the person. 2. By giving a cause against justice and equity, because the person is poor and low in the world, or not of the same party or persuasion, or a stranger of another country. This is overthrowing the righteous in judgment, who ought to be supported, and whom God will make to stand. 6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and h

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Isaiah 53:4

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:8

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. from prison: or, he was taken away by distress and judgment: but, etc was he: Heb. was the stroke upon him

Daniel 9:26

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. but: or, and shall have nothing desolations: or, it shall be cut off by desolations

Romans 8:32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Galatians 3:13

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Revelation 6:17

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 18:5.

Genesis 18:25

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

1 Kings 8:32

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

2 Chronicles 6:23

Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

2 Samuel 4:11

How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?

Deuteronomy 25:1

If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.

Exodus 23:6

Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

Exodus 23:7

Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 9:27

And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 18:5 say?

Proverbs 18:5 (King James Version) reads: "It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment."

Is Proverbs 18:5 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 18:5 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 18:5, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Proverbs 18:5 →

← 18:4 18:6 →