Proverbs 14:34
Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any people.
It is difficult to render an exposition of this proverb as whereas in English the meaning seems pretty straightforward, the Hebrew original, especially for the second part of the verse, leaves us with different options, noticed even by various translators and commentators. The Stone Edition of the Old Testament translates the second part of the verse as, ’…the kindness of regimes is a sin.’ and is commentated by Rashi as: “…regimes that steal from one group in order to dispense ‘kindness’ to others…’ The idea given to us here is of regimes using favoritism in judgment, which in an Hebraic world view would be seen as using ‘unjust weights’, and therefore constitute a good definition of unrighteousness.
This view of the verse also works with the contrast properties of the book of Proverbs, so in a way it could be translated as, (my translation) “Just weights in judgment exalts a nation, but favoritism destroys even a small community.” Favoritism has a way of leaving people bitter against their rulers, may it be in a family, the work place; in a political or religious organization. We should always use just weights and judgments, establishing the same standards of righteousness and retribution to all straight from the Scriptures, and fear to deviate from them. Only then will the Father bless our nation and the communities that compose it.
Franz Delitzsh, the 19th century Lutheran Hebraist theologian mostly famous for his faithful rendition of the Hebrew New Testament comments about this verse in this manner:
“History everywhere confirms the principle, that not the numerical, nor the warlike, nor the political, nor yet the intellectual and the so-called civilized greatness, is the true greatness of a nation, and determines the condition of its future as one of progress; but this is its true greatness, that in its private, public, and international life, conduct directed by the will of God, according to the norm of moral rectitude and rules prevails.”
Righteousness exalteth a nation:
But sin is a reproach to any people.
It is difficult to render an exposition of this proverb as whereas in English the meaning seems pretty straightforward, the Hebrew original, especially for the second part of the verse, leaves us with different options, noticed even by various translators and commentators. The Stone Edition of the Old Testament translates the second part of the verse as, ’…the kindness of regimes is a sin.’ and is commentated by Rashi as: “…regimes that steal from one group in order to dispense ‘kindness’ to others…’ The idea given to us here is of regimes using favoritism in judgment, which in an Hebraic world view would be seen as using ‘unjust weights’, and therefore constitute a good definition of unrighteousness.
This view of the verse also works with the contrast properties of the book of Proverbs, so in a way it could be translated as, (my translation) “Just weights in judgment exalts a nation, but favoritism destroys even a small community.” Favoritism has a way of leaving people bitter against their rulers, may it be in a family, the work place; in a political or religious organization. We should always use just weights and judgments, establishing the same standards of righteousness and retribution to all straight from the Scriptures, and fear to deviate from them. Only then will the Father bless our nation and the communities that compose it.
Franz Delitzsh, the 19th century Lutheran Hebraist theologian mostly famous for his faithful rendition of the Hebrew New Testament comments about this verse in this manner:
“History everywhere confirms the principle, that not the numerical, nor the warlike, nor the political, nor yet the intellectual and the so-called civilized greatness, is the true greatness of a nation, and determines the condition of its future as one of progress; but this is its true greatness, that in its private, public, and international life, conduct directed by the will of God, according to the norm of moral rectitude and rules prevails.”
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