Proverbs 20:8

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.^[a]

Proverbs 20:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 20:8

A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment
That executes judgment himself, as David and Solomon did; who ascends the throne, and sits personally there, and hears and tries causes himself, and not by his servants: scattereth away all evil with his eyes;
all evil men, as the Targum; everyone that is evil, as Aben Ezra: he will easily and quickly discern who is evil, or who is in a bad cause before him, and will pass sentence on him, and drive him away from him with shame and disgrace, and to receive deserved punishment; or he will terrify persons from coming before him with false witness against their neighbour, or with a wrong cause. This may be applied to Christ, the King of kings, and Judge of all; whose eyes are as a flame of fire; who will clearly see into all hearts and actions, when he shall sit on his throne of judgment; and shall pass the righteous and definitive sentence, and shall drive the wicked into hell, into everlasting punishment.

Proverbs 20:8 In-Context

6 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man?

7 The one who lives with integrity is righteous; his children who come after him will be happy.

8 A king sitting on a throne to judge sifts out all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am cleansed from my sin"?

10 Differing weights and varying measures- both are detestable to the Lord.

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 20:26