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Proverbs 16 · a question people ask

"Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king" (16:10). Does the chapter mean a king is always right?

In the text

The verse says, "Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth" (16:10). Inspired judgments is one Hebrew word, qesem, which the WEB elsewhere most often gives as divination: "neither is there any divination with Israel" (Numbers 23:23) (tap Inspired judgments). The chapter doesn't explain the word here. The verses that follow don't treat a king as beyond doing wrong: "It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness" (16:12), and "Righteous lips are the delight of kings" (16:13). A king's wrath can be "a messenger of death", and "a wise man will pacify it" (16:14). Elsewhere Proverbs says, "The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires" (Proverbs 21:1). The sayings name no king, and these notes don't apply them to any ruler or government today.

The verses

“Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.”
Proverbs 16:10 · World English Bible
“Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; neither is there any divination with Israel. Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘What has God done!’”
Numbers 23:23 · World English Bible
“It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.”
Proverbs 16:12-14 · World English Bible
“The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.”
Proverbs 21:1 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16: The LORD directs his steps

In Hebrew the verb of "the LORD directs his steps" (16:9) is the verb of "your plans shall succeed" (16:3) and "the throne is established" (16:12). And "iniquity is atoned for" (16:6) and "a wise man will pacify it" (16:14) are one verb, kafar.

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Last reviewed September 28, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions