Proverbs 14:28
WEB
In the multitude of people is the king’s glory, but in the lack of people is the destruction of the prince.
BSB
A large population is a king’s splendor, but a lack of subjects is a prince’s ruin.
KJV
In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.
Matthew Henry
Hebrew interlinear
H7230
n-m — abundance
Derivation: from 7231;
abundance (in any respect)
KJV: abundance(-antly), all, × common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), × very (age).
n.m — multitude
רֹב 151 n.m. multitude, abundance, greatness
H5971
n-m — people, tribe, troops, attendants, flock
Derivation: from 6004;
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
KJV: folk, men, nation, people.
n.[m.] — kinsman
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
n.m — people
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
1. a people, nation
2. = smaller units
3. = common people
4. people in gen., persons
5. phrases
H1927
n-f — decoration
Derivation: feminine of 1926;
decoration
KJV: beauty, honour.
n.f — adornment
[הֲדָרָה] n.f. adornment, glory
H4428
n-m — king
Derivation: from 4427;
a king
KJV: king, royal.
n.m — king
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
H657
n-m — cessation, an end, no further, the ankle, foot
Derivation: from 656; (sometimes like 6466)
cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or foot
KJV: ankle, but (only), end, howbeit, less than nothing, nevertheless (where), no, none (beside), not (any, -withstanding), thing of nought, save(-ing), there, uttermost part, want, without (cause).
n.m — ceasing
אֶ֫פֶס, אָ֑פֶס n.m. prop. ceasing, hence
1. end, extremity
2. Expressing non-existence
n.[m.] — the soles
[אֹ֫פֶס] n.[m.] only in the du. lit. the two extremities, i.e. either the soles of the feet, or the ankles
H3816
n-m — community
Derivation: or לְאוֹם; from an unused root meaning to gather;
a community
KJV: nation, people.
n.m — people
לְאֹם, לְאוֹם n.m. people, poet. and chiefly late
H4288
n-f — dissolution, ruin, consternation
Derivation: from 2846;
properly, a dissolution; concretely, a ruin, or (abstractly) consternation
KJV: destruction, dismaying, ruin, terror.
n.f — terror
מְחִתָּה n.f. terror, destruction, ruin
H7333
n-m — dignitary
Derivation: from 7336;
a dignitary
KJV: prince.
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Verse 28
Proverbs 14:28
Here are two maxims in politics, which carry their own evidence with them: - 1. That it is much for the honour of a king to have a populous kingdom; it is a sign that he rules well, since strangers are hereby invited to come and settle under his protection and his own subjects live comfortably; it is a sign that he and his kingdom are under the blessing of God, the effect of which is being fruitful and multiplying. It is his strength, and makes him considerable and formidable; happy is the king, the father of his country, who has his quiver full of arrows; he shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with his enemy in the gate, Psa 127:4, Psa 127:5. It is therefore the wisdom of princes, by a mild and gentle government, by encouraging trade and husbandry, and by making all easy under them, to promote the increase of their people. And let all that wish well to the kingdom of Christ, and to his honour, do what they can in their places that many may be added to his church. 2. That when the people are lessened the prince is weakened: In the want of people is the leanness of the prince (so some read it); trade lies dead, the ground lies untilled, the army wants to be recruited, the navy to be manned, and all because there are not hands sufficient. See how much the honour and safety of kings depend upon their people, which is a reason why they should rule by love, and not with rigour. Princes are corrected by those judgments which abate the number of the people, as we find, Sa2 24:13.
Cross-references: Ps 127:4 · Ps 127:5 · 2Sam 24:13