Bible Strands
Proverbs 29:26
Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The author addresses a general audience with a direct contrast between human and divine sources of justice, positioned between a warning against fearing people and a statement on moral alignment.
The words — The Hebrew מְבַקְשִׁים (me.vak.shim) literally means "are seeking," while מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) translates directly to "justice" or "judgment."
The thread — The motif of pursuing human favor appears in Proverbs 19:6, which notes that many seek the prince's favor and flatter the gift-giver. The contrast between human reliance and divine sovereignty runs parallel to Proverbs 19:21, which contrasts human plans with the LORD's prevailing purpose.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader to stop treating human authority as the primary source of fairness and to anchor expectations of justice solely in the LORD.
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
Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the Lord.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:6 Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.
- Psalms 20:9 O LORD, save the king. Answer us on the day we call.
- Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
- Psalms 62:12 and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds.
- Isaiah 46:9 Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.
- Genesis 43:14 May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
- Ezra 7:27 Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem,
- Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)
- Esther 4:16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
- Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.