Mishle 11:14

14 Where no strategic policy is, the nation falls, but in the multitude of yoetz (counsellors, advisors) there is teshu’ah (victory, safety).

Mishle 11:14 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:14

Where no counsel [is], the people fall
Where there is no wise and prudent, sound and good counsel, as the word signifies; where that is not, there had as good be none, or better; a people, a kingdom, a commonwealth, nation, or city, fall into ruin and destruction, or into schemes which bring them to it; they are like a ship without a pilot, or without a helm, or one to steer it: the Targum, Syriac, and Vulgate Latin versions, render it,

``where there is no governor;''

and the Arabic version,

``they that have no providence (or forecast) fall as a leaf falls;''

and so the Septuagint version,

``they that have no government fall as leaves,''

as leaves fall in autumn; and the word signifies the helm of government {o}, in allusion to a ship; but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety;
because what one may miss another may hit upon; and, if they agree in their advice, it may be the more depended upon; and, if not, yet their different sentiments being compared together, and the reasons of them, a person may the better judge which is best to follow, and what is fit to be done: it may be rendered, "in the greatness" or "largeness of a counsellor" ^F16, for the word is in the singular number; that is, in the large capacity or endowments of a counsellor; in one that is abundantly qualified for a counsellor; whose abilities are not to be questioned; in the advice of such an one a man may safely confide; and who that answers to this character as Jesus Christ, the wonderful Counsellor? in whose counsel we may rest with the greatest safety; and which may be found in his word, in the Scriptures, which David says should be the men of his counsel, ( Psalms 119:24 ) ; see ( Isaiah 9:6 ) ( 28:29 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (twlbxt) "gubernationes", Schultens.
F16 (Uewy brb) "in amplitudine consiliarii", Junius & Tremellius.

Mishle 11:14 In-Context

12 He that is devoid of lev [of understanding] despiseth his re’a, but an ish tevunot holdeth his peace.

13 A bringer of rekhil (gossip, rekhilut) revealeth sod (secrets, confidences), but he that is of a ne’eman ruach concealeth the matter.

14 Where no strategic policy is, the nation falls, but in the multitude of yoetz (counsellors, advisors) there is teshu’ah (victory, safety).

15 He that is guaranty for a zar shall suffer for it, and he that hateth pledging collateral is secure.

16 An eshet chen retaineth kavod (honor, respect), but ruthless men retain osher.