Proverbs 29:2
New International Version
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

New Living Translation
When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.

English Standard Version
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Berean Standard Bible
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

King James Bible
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

New King James Version
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.

New American Standard Bible
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked person rules, people groan.

NASB 1995
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

NASB 1977
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

Legacy Standard Bible
When the righteous increase, the people are glad, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

Amplified Bible
When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice; But when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.

Christian Standard Bible
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, people groan.

American Standard Version
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.

Contemporary English Version
When justice rules a nation, everyone is glad; when injustice rules, everyone groans.

English Revised Version
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice: but when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When righteous people increase, the people [of God] rejoice, but when a wicked person rules, everybody groans.

Good News Translation
Show me a righteous ruler and I will show you a happy people. Show me a wicked ruler and I will show you a miserable people.

International Standard Version
As the righteous grow powerful, people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, people groan.

Majority Standard Bible
When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

NET Bible
When the righteous become numerous, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.

New Heart English Bible
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Webster's Bible Translation
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

World English Bible
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, "" And in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.

Young's Literal Translation
In the multiplying of the righteous the people rejoice, And in the ruling of the wicked the people sigh.

Smith's Literal Translation
In the increasing of the just the people will rejoice: and in the ruling of the unjust one the people will groan.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When just men increase, the people shall rejoice: when the wicked shall bear rule, the people shall mourn.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When just men are multiplied, the common people shall rejoice. When the impious take up the leadership, the people shall mourn.

New American Bible
When the just flourish, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

New Revised Standard Version
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When the righteous are many, the people increase; but when the wicked are in authority, the people groan.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
By the multitude of the righteous, the people increase, and by the authority of the evil, the people will groan.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when the wicked beareth rule, the people sigh.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
When the righteous are praised, the people will rejoice: but when the ungodly rule, men mourn.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Stiff-Necked will Be Destroyed
1A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery. 2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.…

Cross References
Proverbs 11:10-11
When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. / By the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

Proverbs 28:12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

Proverbs 28:28
When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.

Ecclesiastes 10:5-7
There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler: / Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions. / I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

Isaiah 32:1-2
Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. / Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land.

Isaiah 32:17-18
The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever. / Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, / to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Jeremiah 22:3-4
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. / For if you will indeed carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David’s throne will enter through the gates of this palace riding on chariots and horses—they and their officials and their people.

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Psalm 72:1-4
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. / May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. ...

Psalm 125:3
For the scepter of the wicked will not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not put forth their hands to injustice.

Psalm 146:7-9
He executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free, / the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down, the LORD loves the righteous. / The LORD protects foreigners; He sustains the fatherless and the widow, but the ways of the wicked He frustrates.

1 Samuel 8:11-18
He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. / And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. ...

2 Samuel 23:3-4
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, / is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’

Daniel 12:3
Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.


Treasury of Scripture

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked bears rule, the people mourn.

the righteous

Proverbs 11:10
When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

Proverbs 28:12,28
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden…

Esther 8:15
And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

in authority or when the wicked

Proverbs 3:15
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Ecclesiastes 10:5
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:

Matthew 2:3,16
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him…

Jump to Previous
Authority Beareth Evil Glad Grief Groan Increase Increased Mourn Multiplying Power Rejoice Righteous Rule Ruler Rules Ruling Sigh Thrive Upright Wicked
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Authority Beareth Evil Glad Grief Groan Increase Increased Mourn Multiplying Power Rejoice Righteous Rule Ruler Rules Ruling Sigh Thrive Upright Wicked
Proverbs 29
1. observations of public government
15. and of private
22. Of anger, pride, thievery, cowardice and corruption














When the righteous thrive
The Hebrew word for "righteous" is צַדִּיק (tsaddiq), which refers to those who are just, ethical, and in right standing with God. In the context of ancient Israel, righteousness was not merely a personal attribute but a communal one, affecting the entire society. The word "thrive" suggests prosperity and flourishing, indicating that when those who live according to God's laws and principles are in positions of influence, their positive impact extends to the community. Historically, Israel's prosperity was often linked to the faithfulness of its leaders and people to God's covenant. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34).

the people rejoice
The Hebrew word for "rejoice" is שָׂמַח (samach), which conveys a sense of joy, gladness, and celebration. This joy is not merely individual but communal, reflecting a society that experiences peace, justice, and well-being under righteous leadership. In the biblical context, the joy of the people is often associated with God's blessings and favor, as seen in the festivals and celebrations prescribed in the Law of Moses. The rejoicing of the people is a testament to the harmony and prosperity that righteous governance brings.

but when the wicked rule
The term "wicked" is רָשָׁע (rasha), referring to those who are morally wrong, guilty, or hostile to God. In the biblical narrative, wicked rulers are often characterized by their oppression, injustice, and idolatry, leading the people away from God's commandments. The word "rule" implies authority and governance, highlighting the significant impact that leaders have on the moral and spiritual direction of a nation. Historically, Israel's periods of decline and suffering were frequently linked to the reign of wicked kings who led the people into sin and rebellion against God.

the people groan
The Hebrew word for "groan" is אָנַח (anach), which denotes a deep, mournful sigh or lamentation. This groaning is a response to the suffering, injustice, and oppression experienced under wicked leadership. In the biblical context, the groaning of the people often prompted divine intervention, as seen in the Exodus narrative when the Israelites groaned under Egyptian bondage (Exodus 2:23-25). This phrase serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of unrighteous leadership and the longing for deliverance and restoration.

Verse 2. - When the righteous are in authority; rather, as in Proverbs 28:28, when the righteous are increased; Vulgate, in multiplicatione justorum. When sinners are put away, and the righteous are in the majority. Septuagint, "when the just are commended." When good men give the tone to society and conduct all affairs according to their own high standard, the peoople rejoice; there is general happiness; prosperity abounds, and voices ring cheerfully (Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 28:12). When the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn; they suffer violence and injustice, and have bitter cause for complaint and lamentation. This proverb is not applicable to the age of Solomon.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the righteous
צַ֭דִּיקִים (ṣad·dî·qîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

flourish,
בִּרְב֣וֹת (bir·ḇō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

the people
הָעָ֑ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

rejoice,
יִשְׂמַ֣ח (yiś·maḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

but when the wicked
רָ֝שָׁ֗ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

rule,
וּבִמְשֹׁ֥ל (ū·ḇim·šōl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign

the people
עָֽם׃ (‘ām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

groan.
יֵאָ֥נַֽח (yê·’ā·naḥ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 584: To sigh, groan


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous thrive the people rejoice (Prov. Pro Pr)
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