14:28 A king’s glory is 10 the abundance of people,
but the lack of subjects 11 is the ruin 12 of a ruler.
1 tn There is no verb expressed in the Hebrew text; “stands” is supplied in the translation for clarification.
2 tn Heb “your people whom you have chosen.”
3 tn The translation “can be counted” (potential imperfect) is suggested by the use of יוּכַל (yukhal, “is able”) in the preceding clause.
4 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the
5 tn The use of the infinitive absolute before the finite verbal form (either an imperfect or cohortative) emphasizes the certainty of the blessing.
6 tn Here too the infinitive absolute is used for emphasis before the following finite verb (either an imperfect or cohortative).
7 tn The Hebrew term זֶרַע (zera’) occurring here and in v. 18 may mean “seed” (for planting), “offspring” (occasionally of animals, but usually of people), or “descendants” depending on the context.
8 tn Or “inherit.”
9 tn Heb “gate,” which here stands for a walled city. To break through the gate complex would be to conquer the city, for the gate complex was the main area of defense (hence the translation “stronghold”).
10 tn The preposition serves as the beth essentiae – the glory is the abundant population, not in it.
11 tn Heb “people.” Cf. NLT “a dwindling nation.”
12 sn The word means “ruin; destruction,” but in this context it could be a metonymy of effect, the cause being an attack by more numerous people that will bring ruin to the ruler. The proverb is purely a practical and secular saying, unlike some of the faith teachings in salvation history passages.