Bible Strands
Proverbs 14:19
The evil bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Solomon addresses a general audience with proverbial instruction, contrasting the ultimate fate of the foolish with that of the wise. The words — שַׁחֲוּ (shaḥăvû) means “they bow” or “submit,” paired with רְשָׁעִים (rəšāʿîm), “the wicked,” who are shown prostrating at the gates of the צַדִּיק (ṣaddîq), “righteous.” The thread — The motif of unexpected role reversal and subjugation appears in Genesis 42:6, Malachi 4:3, and Exodus 8:8. Why it lands — The text demands recognition that moral standing dictates worldly posture, requiring readers to pursue righteousness rather than rely on temporary advantage.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Cross-references
- Genesis 42:6 Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.
- Malachi 4:3 Then you will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- Exodus 8:8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people. Then I will let your people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD.”
- Genesis 43:28 “Your servant our father is well,” they answered. “He is still alive.” And they bowed down to honor him.
- Exodus 9:27 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said. “The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.
- Exodus 11:8 And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will depart.” And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh’s presence.
- 1 Samuel 2:36 And everyone left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver or a morsel of bread, pleading, “Please appoint me to some priestly office so that I can eat a piece of bread.”’”
- 2 Kings 3:12 Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
- Isaiah 60:14 The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
- Micah 7:9 Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness.