Proverbs Chapter 16 verse 10 Holy Bible
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
read chapter 16 in ASV
Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
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An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.
read chapter 16 in DARBY
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
read chapter 16 in KJV
read chapter 16 in WBT
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
read chapter 16 in WEB
An oath `is' on the lips of a king, In judgment his mouth trespasseth not.
read chapter 16 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 10. - A Divine sentence is in the lips of the king. קֶסֶם (quesem) is "divination," "soothsaying," oracular utterance. Septuagint, μαντεῖον. The king's words have, in people's minds, the certainty and importance of a Divine oracle, putting an end to all controversy or division of opinion. It seems to be a general maxim, not especially referring to Solomon or the theocratic kingdom, but rather indicating the traditional view of the absolute monarchy. The custom of deifying kings and invoking them as gods was usual in Egypt and Eastern countries, and made its way to the West. "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man," cried the people, when Herod addressed them in the amphitheatre at Caesarea (Acts 12:22). The Greeks could say - Αἰκὼν δὲ βασιλεύς ἐστιν ἔμψυχος Θεοῦ. "God's very living image is the king." And thus his utterances were regarded as irrefragably true and decisive. His month transgresseth not in judgment. The decisions which he gives are infallible, and, at any rate, irresistible. We may refer to Solomon's famous verdict concerning the two mothers (1 Kings 3:16, etc.), and such sentences as Proverbs 8:15, "By me (wisdom) kings reign, and princes decree justice" (see below on ver. 12; Proverbs 21:1); and David's words (2 Samuel 23:4), "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God" (Wisd. 9:4, 10, 12). Delitzsch regards the second hemistich as giving a warning (consequent on the former clause), and not stating a fact, "In the judgment his mouth should not err." The present chapter contains many admonitions to kings which a wise father like Solomon may have uttered and recorded for the benefit of his son. If this is the case, it is as strange as it is true that Rehoboam made little use of the counsels, and that Solomon's latter days gave the lie to many of them.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(10) His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.--Or, should not transgress, as being the representative of God upon earth, and so distinguished by the title of "God" himself (Psalm 82:6). This verse recalls the days of Solomon's youth, when it was his highest aspiration to judge his people righteously (1Kings 3:9). Comp. David's noble words (2Samuel 23:3).
