The Meaning of Proverbs 8:15 Explained

Proverbs 8:15

KJV: By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

YLT: By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness,

Darby: By me kings reign, and rulers make just decrees;

ASV: By me kings reign, And princes decree justice.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

By me kings  reign,  and princes  decree  justice. 

What does Proverbs 8:15 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 8:1-21 - "better Than Gold"
This chapter contains a bewitching picture of Wisdom as a noble matron. Were it not for this feminine touch, we might, suppose that the Preacher had become a Prophet and was discerning the lineaments of Christ, who in His human life embodied the Divine Wisdom, as indeed He was the Eternal Word.
She stands in the open places; her ringing voice is heard down the streets, appealing to those who are entering the city gates or doors of the houses. There is no muttering or whispering; but the beauty of goodness illuminates all she says. She insists on her own value, as compared with the valuables that men prize. The central point in her promises is that she imparts those great moral qualities which imply the true leadership and right estimate of others. What a precious word is Proverbs 8:17 : but we can never forget that we love "because He first loved us." Oh, the mystery and wonder of it! And can that love ever fail us? [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 8

1  the fame
6  and evidence of wisdom
10  The excellence
12  the nature
15  the power
18  the riches
22  and the eternity of wisdom
32  Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings

What do the individual words in Proverbs 8:15 mean?

By me kings reign and rulers decree justice
בִּ֭י מְלָכִ֣ים יִמְלֹ֑כוּ וְ֝רוֹזְנִ֗ים יְחֹ֣קְקוּ צֶֽדֶק

בִּ֭י  By  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: אָבִי 
Sense: entreat, longing, desire.
מְלָכִ֣ים  kings 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
יִמְלֹ֑כוּ  reign 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: מָלַךְ 
Sense: to be or become king or queen, reign.
וְ֝רוֹזְנִ֗ים  and  rulers 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: רָזַן  
Sense: (Qal) to be weighty, be judicious, be commanding.
יְחֹ֣קְקוּ  decree 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: חָקַק  
Sense: to cut out, decree, inscribe, set, engrave, portray, govern.
צֶֽדֶק  justice 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: צֶדֶק  
Sense: justice, rightness, righteousness.