Proverbs 16:10

KJV

¶ A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

KJV (with Strong's)

A divine sentence {H7081} is in the lips {H8193} of the king {H4428}: his mouth {H6310} transgresseth {H4603} not in judgment {H4941}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Divine inspiration is on the lips of the king, so his mouth must be faithful when he judges.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 16:10 presents an aspirational ideal for kingship, portraying a monarch whose pronouncements are not merely human opinions but are imbued with divine wisdom and authority. This verse emphasizes that such a king's decisions and judgments are inherently just and free from error, reflecting a profound alignment with God's own righteousness and truth. It sets forth a standard of governance where the ruler acts as an instrument of divine justice, ensuring societal stability and the upholding of righteous decrees that mirror the divine will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 16:10 is situated within a larger collection of individual proverbs, specifically within a section (chapters 10-29) that offers practical wisdom for various aspects of life, including governance and leadership. Proverbs 16 itself heavily emphasizes divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the qualities of righteous leadership. The verses immediately preceding and following often touch upon the Lord's control over human plans and the importance of integrity, justice, and humility in leadership. For instance, [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps") states, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps," establishing a theological backdrop for the idea that even a king's pronouncements are ultimately under divine guidance. This verse on the king's lips and judgment therefore fits seamlessly into the broader discourse on God's ultimate authority over human affairs and the ideal conduct of those in positions of power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, the king held immense power and was often seen as the divinely appointed representative on earth. Kings were not only political and military leaders but also served as the supreme judges, arbitrating disputes and issuing decrees. Their word was law, and their judgments had life-or-death implications. The concept of a king's wisdom and justice was paramount for the well-being of the nation. While many ancient rulers claimed divine right or even deity, the Israelite understanding was distinct: the king was God's servant, expected to rule according to God's covenant and laws. Therefore, a "divine sentence" in the king's lips would signify a king who was truly walking in obedience to Yahweh, whose judgments were so righteous that they mirrored God's own perfect justice. This ideal served as both a standard for the monarch and a prayer for the people, recognizing the profound impact of leadership on the nation's spiritual and social health, as seen in the narratives of kings like Solomon, whose wisdom was a gift from God ([1_kings/3-9](/1-kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom")).
* **Key Themes:** This proverb contributes significantly to the overarching themes of **Divine Sovereignty** and **Righteous Leadership** found throughout the book of Proverbs. It posits that true authority and wisdom ultimately originate from God, suggesting that a king's ability to render just judgment is a divine endowment rather than solely a human capacity. The verse highlights the **Ideal of Justice**, portraying a ruler whose decrees are free from corruption, bias, or error, thereby ensuring societal order and reflecting God's own character. It also touches upon the theme of **Words and Their Power**, emphasizing the profound impact of a leader's speech and pronouncements. This ideal king serves as a model for all those in authority, reminding them that their decisions should align with divine truth and justice, a concept echoed in [Proverbs 29:4](/proverbs/29-4 "Proverbs 29:4 - A King Who Upholds Justice"). The aspiration for such a ruler underscores the deep desire for a society governed by divine principles, where righteousness prevails and evil is suppressed, as described in [Proverbs 20:8](/proverbs/20-8 "Proverbs 20:8 - A King Scatters Evil").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **divine sentence (Hebrew, _qeçem'_):** From H7081, _qeçem_ typically refers to divination or an oracle. While often carrying negative connotations in the Old Testament when associated with forbidden practices, in this specific context, its use is positive, indicating a pronouncement or decision that carries divine authority and wisdom. It suggests that the king's judgment is so accurate and just that it seems to be an inspired utterance, akin to a divine oracle, rather than a result of human sorcery. It points to a king whose decisions are aligned with God's will.
* **king (Hebrew, _melek'_):** From H4428, _melek_ simply means "a king" or "royal." In the context of ancient Israel, the king was the supreme ruler, judge, and military leader. This word highlights the specific individual whose lips and mouth are the subject of the proverb, emphasizing the immense power and responsibility inherent in their role. The proverb speaks to the ideal character and conduct expected of this powerful figure.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** From H4941, _mishpâṭ_ is a rich term encompassing a verdict, sentence, decree, justice, or even a right or privilege. It refers to the act of judging, the place of judgment, or the outcome of a legal process. Here, it refers to the king's judicial decisions. The phrase "transgresseth not in judgment" means that the king's verdicts are flawless, perfectly just, and never deviate from what is right, embodying true equity and righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king":** This clause establishes the source and nature of the king's pronouncements. The "divine sentence" (or "oracle") implies that the king's words are not merely human wisdom or opinion, but are divinely inspired, reflecting God's own truth and wisdom. The "lips" symbolize the king's speech, authority, and public declarations, indicating that his very pronouncements are imbued with a sacred quality when he rules righteously.
* **"his mouth transgresseth not in judgment":** This second clause describes the infallible nature of the king's judicial decisions. "His mouth" again refers to his speech and pronouncements, particularly in the context of legal rulings. To "transgress not" means to be free from error, corruption, or deviation from justice. It signifies that the king's judgments are perfectly righteous, fair, and true, never falling short of God's standard of justice.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 16:10 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Metonymy** is prominent, with "lips" and "mouth" standing in for the king's speech, authority, and judicial pronouncements. This emphasizes that the very words spoken by the king carry immense weight and power. The proverb also presents an **Idealism**, describing a perfectly just and divinely guided ruler, which serves as a standard against which actual kings could be measured. This ideal king is almost a **Symbol** of perfect justice and divine rule on earth. Furthermore, there's an element of **Hyperbole** in "transgresseth not," as no human king is truly infallible. This hyperbole serves to underscore the absolute righteousness and unerring accuracy of the ideal judgment being described, pointing beyond human capacity to a divine standard.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb powerfully articulates the theological principle that true authority and justice ultimately derive from God. It presents an ideal of kingship where human rule is perfectly aligned with divine will, suggesting that when a leader governs righteously, their pronouncements become conduits of God's own truth and justice. This concept underscores God's sovereignty over all earthly powers and His expectation that those in authority would reflect His character in their governance. The "divine sentence" and "untransgressing judgment" point to an ultimate standard of righteousness that human leaders should strive for, acknowledging that only God's wisdom is truly infallible.

* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in the Lord's Hand")
* [Psalm 72:1-4](/psalms/72-1-4 "Psalm 72:1-4 - A Prayer for the King's Righteous Rule")
* [Isaiah 33:22](/isaiah/33-22 "Isaiah 33:22 - The Lord is Our Judge, Lawgiver, and King")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 16:10 offers profound insights for both leaders and those under authority today. For leaders in any sphere—government, business, family, or church—it serves as a powerful call to seek divine wisdom and integrity in all decisions. It challenges us to move beyond mere human prudence and strive for a discernment that aligns with God's perfect justice. Our words, especially those spoken from positions of influence, carry immense weight and have far-reaching consequences; therefore, they should be tempered with prayer, humility, and a deep commitment to truth. For all individuals, this proverb provides comfort and hope, reminding us that there is an ultimate divine standard of justice that transcends human fallibility. It encourages us to pray for our leaders, that they might be instruments of God's righteousness, and to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty even when earthly judgments fall short. We are called to embody justice and truth in our own spheres of influence, however small, reflecting the divine character in our interactions and decisions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you exercise leadership or influence, and how can you seek divine wisdom to ensure your words and decisions reflect justice and truth?**
* **How does the ideal of a king whose "mouth transgresseth not in judgment" challenge or affirm your view of earthly authority?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure your own judgments and pronouncements are guided by divine principles rather than personal bias or worldly pressures?**

### FAQ
**Does this proverb imply that all earthly kings are infallible or divinely inspired?**

Answer: No, this proverb does not imply that all earthly kings are infallible or that their every word is divinely inspired. Instead, it presents an **ideal** for kingship, a standard to which a righteous king *should* aspire. In ancient Israel, while the king was God's anointed, human kings often fell short of this ideal, as evidenced by the many accounts of unrighteous kings in books like [1 and 2 Kings](/1-kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reign of Solomon and Divided Kingdom"). The phrase "a divine sentence is in the lips of the king" refers to the *potential* or *expectation* that a king, ruling in accordance with God's will and wisdom, would issue judgments so just and true that they would seem to come directly from God. It highlights the profound responsibility of a king to seek and embody divine justice, rather than asserting their inherent infallibility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 16:10 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment not in any earthly monarch, but in the person and reign of Jesus Christ. While human kings invariably fall short of the ideal presented here, Jesus is the true and righteous King whose "lips" and "mouth" perfectly embody divine wisdom and judgment. He is the very Word of God made flesh ([John/1-1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), and His pronouncements are inherently divine and infallible. As the promised Messiah, He is the King who judges with righteousness and equity, as prophesied in [Isaiah 11:3-4](/isaiah/11-3-4 "Isaiah 11:3-4 - The Spirit of the Lord on the Branch"). His judgments are always true, for He does not judge by what His eyes see or His ears hear, but by the Spirit of the Lord. The New Testament consistently portrays Jesus as the one whose authority is absolute, whose words are truth, and whose final judgment will be perfectly just ([John/5-27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - Jesus Given Authority to Judge")). Thus, the aspirational ideal of Proverbs 16:10 is fully realized in Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose reign is eternal and whose justice knows no transgression ([Revelation/19-16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 32:1

¶ Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.

Isaiah 32:2

And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

Genesis 44:5

[Is] not this [it] in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Genesis 44:15

And Joseph said unto them, What deed [is] this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

Amos 5:7

Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth,