Meaning, commentary and cross references
Proverbs 29:18
“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
NIV · New International Version
Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
WEB · World English Bible
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
What does Proverbs 29:18 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people perish,.... That is, "no prophecy", as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; and which is often the sense of the word, as the vision of Isaiah is the prophecy of Isaiah; and, in the New Testament, prophesying is often put for preaching; and here vision, or prophecy, signifies the public ministering of the word and ordinances, and want of persons to administer them; no expounder, as the Septuagint version; or interpreter, as the Arabic. This was the case in the latter end of Eli's life, 1 Samuel 3:1; in Asa's times, and before, 2 Chronicles 15:3; in the Babylonish captivity, Ezekiel 7:26; in the times of Antiochus, Psalm 74:9; when John the Baptist and…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Proverbs 29:18
See here, I. The misery of the people that want a settled ministry: Where there is no vision, no prophet to expound the law, no priest or Levite to teach the good knowledge of the Lord, no means of grace, the word of the Lord is scarce, there is no open vision (Sa1 3:1), where it is so the people perish; the word has many significations, any of which will apply here. 1. The people are made naked, stripped of their ornaments and so exposed to shame, stripped of their armour and so exposed to danger. How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers, and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! 2.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Proverbs 29:15–21 (WEB)
15The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother. 16When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. 17Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul. 18Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed. 19A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond. 20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
Cross references
- James 1:25
But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.
- Luke 11:28
But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”
- Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God’s law, I will also forget your children.
- John 13:17
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
- Psalms 1:1–2
- Proverbs 19:16
He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
- Psalms 119:2
- 1 Samuel 3:1
The child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. The LORD’s word was rare in those days. There were not many visions, then.