The Meaning of Proverbs 25:5 Explained

Proverbs 25:5

KJV: Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

YLT: Take away the wicked before a king, And established in righteousness is his throne.

Darby: take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

ASV: Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Take away  the wicked  [from] before  the king,  and his throne  shall be established  in righteousness. 

What does Proverbs 25:5 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:1-14 - Words Fitly Spoken
This collection of proverbs was made. 250years after the time of Solomon by the scribes of King Hezekiah. The glory of God is too great to be disclosed to the vulgar eye of mere curiosity, but it will be unfolded to royal souls that seek for it as for hid treasure"¦. The great rulers of the world must have their secret counsels, but they should be freed from evil counselors, as gold from dross"¦. Compare Proverbs 25:6 and Proverbs 25:7 with Luke 14:8-10"¦. Second thoughts are best; sleep over your plan or letter; be deliberate in planning and prompt in acting on the plan when formed"¦. Don't reveal to another a cause of offense that should be adjusted between yourself and your neighbor, Matthew 18:15"¦. A word happily adapted to a circumstance is like an apple of gold, that is, an orange, in a basket of silver filigree-work."¦ As drink cooled with snow refreshes the thirsty reaper, so is a messenger who faithfully executes his errand to the master who sent him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:5 mean?

Take away the wicked from before the king and will be established in righteousness his throne
הָג֣וֹ רָ֭שָׁע לִפְנֵי־ מֶ֑לֶךְ וְיִכּ֖וֹן בַּצֶּ֣דֶק כִּסְאֽוֹ

הָג֣וֹ  Take  away 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: הָגָה  
Sense: (Qal) to remove, drive out.
רָ֭שָׁע  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.
לִפְנֵי־  from  before 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
מֶ֑לֶךְ  the  king 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
וְיִכּ֖וֹן  and  will  be  established 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Conjunctive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: כּוּן 
Sense: to be firm, be stable, be established.
בַּצֶּ֣דֶק  in  righteousness 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: צֶדֶק  
Sense: justice, rightness, righteousness.
כִּסְאֽוֹ  his  throne 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: כִּסֵּא 
Sense: seat (of honour), throne, seat, stool.