Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Rulers?

Here are 15 Bible verses about rulers, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.

#1Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
BSBWhen the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
#21 Timothy 2:1-2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
BSBFirst of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.
#3Titus 3:1-2
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
BSBRemind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
#4Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
BSBFor our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
#5Romans 13:1-2
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
BSBEveryone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
#6Romans 13:4
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
BSBFor he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.
#7Colossians 1:16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
BSBFor in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.
#8Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
BSBWalk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.
#9Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
BSBDo not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
#10John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
BSBJesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”
#11Proverbs 11:11
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
BSBBy the blessing of the upright a city is built up, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.
#12Judges 5:1-31
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel. Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted from before the Lord, even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel. In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways. …
BSBOn that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: “When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD. Listen, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel. O LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured out rain, and the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel. In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted and the travelers took the byways. …
#13Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
BSBThen God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.”
#14Psalms 144:1
A Psalm of David. Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
BSBOf David. Blessed be the LORD, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
#15Leviticus 26:1-46
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God. Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. …
BSB“You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God. You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD. If you follow My statutes and carefully keep My commandments, I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. Your threshing will continue until the grape harvest, and the grape harvest will continue until sowing time; you will have your fill of food to eat and will dwell securely in your land. And I will give peace to the land, and you will lie down with nothing to fear. I will rid the land of dangerous animals, and no sword will pass through your land. …

Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).

Rulers in Nave's Topical Bible

(Appointed and removed by God)
See: GOVERNMENT, GOD IN
Chastised: Da 4
See: NATION
Monarchical
See: KINGS
Patriarchal: Ge 27:29,37
Instances Of
Nimrod: Ge 10:8-10
Abraham: Ge 14:13-24; 17:6; 21:21-32
Melchizedek: Ge 14:18
Isaac: Ge 26:26-31
Judah: Ge 38:24
Heads of families: Ex 6:14
Ishmael: Ge 17:20
Esau, and the dukes of Edom: Ge 36
Theocratic
See: GOVERNMENT
CHARACTER AND QUALIFICATIONS OF: Ge 41:33; Ex 18:21,22; 23:8; De 1:13; 16:18-20; 27:19; 2Sa 23:3,4; Ezr 7:25; Ps 2:10,11; 72:1-17; Pr 16:10,12; 17:7; 19:12; 20:8,26,28; 21:1; 24:23-26; 25:2,3,5; 28:2,16; 29:2,4,14; 31:4,5,8,9; Ec 8:4; 10:16,17; Isa 5:22,23; 16:5; 28:6; 60:17; Jer 13:18; Ro 12:8; 13:1-7; 1Ti 2:1,2; 1Pe 2:13,14
DUTIES OF: Ex 18:16,20,21; 23:3,6,7,9; Le 19:15; 24:22; Nu 27:16,17; De 1:16,17; 16:18-20; 17:16-20; 19:18,19; 24:16; 25:1; Jos 1:7,8; 2Ch 9:8; 19:6,7; Ezr 7:25,26; Ps 82:2-4; 148:11,13; Isa 58:6; Jer 21:12; 22:1-3; Zec 7:9,10; 8:16; Ro 13:3; 1Ti 2:2; 1Pe 2:14
Righteous
Instances Of
Pharaoh, in his treatment of Abraham: Ge 12:15-20
Abimelech, in his treatment of Isaac: Ge 26:6-11
Joseph, in how he conducted the affairs of Egypt: Ge 41:37-57
Pharaoh, in his treatment of Jacob and his family: Ge 47:5-10; 50:1-6
Moses, in his administration of the affairs of the people of Israel: Nu 16:15
See: GOVERNMENT, MOSAIC
Samuel, in not receiving compensation for judgment: 1Sa 12:3,4
Saul, after the defeat of the Ammonites: 1Sa 11:12,13
Solomon, in his judgment between the two women who claimed the same child: 1Ki 3:16-28
Solomon, according to the testimony of the queen of Sheba: 1Ki 10:6-9
Asa, in abolishing sodomy and other abominations of idolatry: 1Ki 15:11-15; 2Ch 14:2-5
Jehoshaphat, in walking in the ways of the Lord: 1Ki 22:41-46; 2Ch 17:3-10; 19; 20:3-30
Hezekiah, in his fear of the Lord: 2Ki 18:3; 20:1-11; 2Ch 30; 31
Josiah, in repairing the temple and in other good works: 2Ki 22; 23; 2Ch 34; 35
Cyrus, in emancipating the Jews: Ezr 1
Darius, in advancing the rebuilding of the temple: Ezr 6:1-12
Artaxerxes, in commissioning Ezra to restore the forms of worship at Jerusalem: Ezr 7; Ne 2; 5:14
Nehemiah: Ne 4; 5
Daniel
See: DANIEL
King of Nineveh, in repenting, and proclaimimg a fast: Jon 3:6-9
WICKED: Ge 15:13,14; Ex 3:9; De 27:19; 1Sa 8:10-18; 2Ch 28:19; Ne 5:7-9; 9:34-37; Job 24:22,24; 35:9; Ps 10:17,18; 12:5,8; 49:20; 58:1,2; 82:2; 94:20,21; 110:5; Pr 17:15,26; 28:15,16,28; 29:2,4,12; 30:21,22; Ec 3:16,17; 4:1,13,14; 5:8; 8:9; 10:5-7,16,17; Isa 1:23; 3:12,14,15; 5:7; 10:1-3; 14:4-20; 28:14,15; 29:20,21; 30:33; 33:1; 40:23; 52:5; 59:14,15; Jer 5:28,29; Eze 21:25,26; 22:6,27; 28:2; 34:2-4,7-10; 45:9; Ho 5:10; 7:3; 10:7; Am 3:10,11; 4:1,2; 5:11,12; 6:12,13; Mic 3:1-3,9-11; 7:3,4; Hab 1:4; 2:5-13; Zep 1:8; 3:3; Ac 23:3; Jas 2:6,9
Instances Of
Potiphar, putting Joseph into prison: Ge 39:20; with 40:15
Pharaoh, oppressing the Israelites: Ex 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11
Adoni-bezek, torturing seventy kings: Jud 1:7
Abimelech, killing his seventy brothers: Jud 9:1-5
Eli' s sons, desecrating the sacrifices: 1Sa 2:12-17
Debauching themselves and the worshipers: 1Sa 2:22
Samuel' s sons, taking bribes: 1Sa 8:1-5
Saul, sparing Agag and the best of the booty: 1Sa 15:8-35
Saul, jealously plotting against David: 1Sa 19
Saul, killing Ahimelech and the priests: 1Sa 22:7-19
Hanun, maltreating David' s servants: 2Sa 10:4; 1Ch 19:2-5
David, numbering Israel and Judah: 2Sa 24:1-9; 1Ch 21:1-7; 27:23,24
Solomon, luxurious, and idolatrous: 1Ki 11:1-13
Solomon, oppressing the people: 1Ki 12:4; 4:7-23
Rehoboam, making the yoke heavy: 1Ki 12:8-11; 2Ch 10:1-15
Jeroboam, perverting the true worship: 1Ki 12:26-33; 13:1-5; 14:16
Exalting debased persons to the priesthood: 1Ki 12:31; 13:33; 2Ki 17:32; 2Ch 11:14,15; Eze 44:7; with Nu 3:10
Abijam, walking in the sins of Rehoboam: 1Ki 15:3
Nadab, walking in the ways of Jeroboam: 1Ki 15:26
Baasha, walking in the ways of Jeroboam: 1Ki 15:33,34
Asa, imprisoning the seer, and oppressing the people: 2Ch 16:10
Zimri, walking in the ways of Jeroboam: 1Ki 16:19
Omri, walking in the ways of Jeroboam: 1Ki 16:25-29
Ahab, serving Baal: 1Ki 16:30-33; 21:21-26
Confiscating Naboth' s vineyard: 1Ki 21; with 1Sa 8:14; 1Ki 22:38; 2Ki 9:26
Jehoram, cleaving to the sins of Jeroboam: 2Ki 3:2,3
Hazael, committing pillage (plundering): 2Ki 8:12; 10:32; 12:17; 13:3-7
Jehoram, walking in the ways of the kings of Israel: 2Ki 8:18; 2Ch 21:13
Jehu, departing not from the sins of Jeroboam: 2Ki 10:29
Jehoahaz, in following the sins of Jeroboam: 2Ki 13:1,2
Jehoash, in following the wicked example of Jeroboam: 2Ki 13:10,11
Jeroboam II, not departing from the sins of Jeroboam: 2Ki 14:23,24
Zachariah, Menahem, Pekahiah, and Pekah, following the sins of Jeroboam: 2Ki 15:9,18,24,28
Conspiring against Pekahiah and assassinating him: 2Ki 15:25
Hoshea, who conspired against Pekah: 2Ki 15:30
In permitting Baal-worship: 2Ki 17:1,2,7-18
Ahaz, burning his own children in idolatrous sacrifice: 2Ki 16:3; 2Ch 28:2-4
Manasseh, who committed the abominations of the heathen: 2Ki 21:1-17; 2Ch 33:2-7
Amon, who followed the evil example of Manasseh: 2Ki 21:19-22
Jehoahaz, who followed in the ways of his forefathers: 2Ki 23:32
Jehoiakim, in walking in the ways of his forefathers: 2Ki 23:37
Jehoiachin, in walking in the ways of his forefathers: 2Ki 24:9
Zedekiah, following the evil example of Jehoiakim: 2Ki 24:19; 2Ch 36:12,13
And persecuting Jeremiah: Jer 38:5,6
Joash, killing: Zechariah 2Ch 24:2,17-25
Ahaziah, doing evil like the household of Ahab: 2Ch 22:1-9
Amaziah, worshiping the gods of Seir: 2Ch 25:14
Uzziah, invading the priest' s office: 2Ch 26:16
Ahasuerus and Haman, decreeing the death of all Jews (genocide): Es 3
Nebuchadnezzar, commanding to destroy the wise men: Da 2:1-13
Nebuchadnezzar, committing the three Hebrews to the furnace: Da 3:1-23
Belshazzar, in drunkenness and committing sacrilege: Da 5:22
Darius, in deifying himself: Da 6:7,9
The princes, conspiring against Daniel: Da 6:1-9
Herod the Great, killing the infants in Bethlehem: Mt 2:16-18
Herod Antipas, in beheading John the Baptist: Mt 14:1-11
Herod Antipas, in craftiness and tyranny: Lu 13:31,32; 23:6-15
Herod Agrippa I, persecuting the congregation in Jerusalem: Ac 12:1-19
Pilate, delivering up Jesus for crucifixion: Mt 27:11-26; Mr 15:15
The chief priests, elders, and the Sanhedrin, seeking false witness against Jesus: Mt 26:59
Ananias, the high priest, commanding to strike Paul: Ac 23:2
See: GOVERNMENT
See: JUDGES
See: KINGS

Rulers in Nave's Topical Bible

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