Proverbs 29:12

If a ruler listens to ¹  lies, ²  all his ministers ³  will be wicked. ⁴ 

1Sa 22:8-23; 1Sa 23:19-23; 2Sa 3:7-11; 2Sa 4:5-12; 1Ki 21:11-13; 2Ki 10:6,7; Ps 52:2-4; Ps 101:5-7; Pr 20:8; Pr 25:23

¹ tn The Hiphil participle מַקְשִׁיב (maqshiv) means “to give attention to; to regard; to heed.” Cf. NASB, NCV, TEV “pays attention to.”

sn Such a ruler would become known as one who could be lied to, because he paid attention to lies.

² tn Heb “word of falsehood” or “lying word.” Cf. TEV “false information.”

³ tn The verb שָׁרַת (sharat) means “to minister; to serve.” The Piel plural participle here refers to servants of the king who attend to him – courtiers and ministers (cf. NIV, NRSV, TEV, CEV “officials”; NLT “advisers”). This, his entourage, will have to resort to evil practices to gain his favor if he is swayed by such lies.

⁴ sn The servants of the monarch adjust to their ruler; when they see that court flattery and deception are effective, they will begin to practice it and in the end become wicked (e.g., Prov 16:10; 20:8; 25:2).