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Proverbs 20

BSB·30 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Wineהַ֭יַּיןhay·yayn — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study → is a mockerלֵ֣ץlêṣ — to mock, scorn, or ridiculeH3887 — Full Word Study →, strong drinkשֵׁכָ֑רšê·ḵār — Strong alcoholic drink, fermented beverages stronger than wineH7941 — Full Word Study → is a brawlerהֹמֶ֣הhō·meh — to roar, murmur, or sound with tumultH1993 — Full Word Study →, and whoeverוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → is led astrayשֹׁ֥גֶהšō·ḡeh — to wander, stray, go astrayH7686 — Full Word Study → by them is notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → wiseיֶחְכָּֽם׃yeḥ·kām — to be wise; to act with wisdomH2449 — Full Word Study →. 2The terrorאֵ֣ימַת’ê·maṯ — Terror, dread, fearful aweH367 — Full Word Study → of a kingמֶ֑לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → is like the roarנַ֣הַםna·ham — roaring, loud sound of an animal or personH5099 — Full Word Study → of a lionכַּ֭כְּפִירkak·kə·p̄îr — Young lion; fierce strength and dangerH3715 — Full Word Study →; whoever provokes him forfeitsחוֹטֵ֥אḥō·w·ṭê — To sin; to miss the mark; to commit wrongdoingH2398 — Full Word Study → his own lifeנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃nap̄·šōw — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →. 3It is honorableכָּב֣וֹדkā·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → for a manלָ֭אִישׁlā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → to resolveשֶׁ֣בֶתše·ḇeṯ — cessation, rest, or sitting stillH7674 — Full Word Study → a disputeמֵרִ֑יבmê·rîḇ — Strife, contention, legal disputeH7379 — Full Word Study →, but anyוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → foolאֱ֝וִ֗יל’ĕ·wîl — a foolish or senseless personH191 — Full Word Study → will quarrelיִתְגַּלָּֽע׃yiṯ·gal·lā‘ — to quarrel, strive, or meddleH1566 — Full Word Study →. 4The slackerעָצֵ֣ל‘ā·ṣêl — sluggard; one who is lazy or slothfulH6102 — Full Word Study → does notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → plowיַחֲרֹ֑שׁya·ḥă·rōš — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → in seasonמֵ֭חֹרֶףmê·ḥō·rep̄ — Winter, cold season; harvest time; youthH2779 — Full Word Study →; at harvest timeבַּקָּצִ֣ירbaq·qā·ṣîr — Harvest; the reaping of crops or figuratively, a limb or branchH7105 — Full Word Study → he looksיִשְׁאַלyiš·ʾal — to ask, request, inquire, or demandH7592 — Full Word Study →, but nothing is thereוָאָֽיִן׃wā·’ā·yin — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study →. 5The intentionsעֵצָ֣ה‘ê·ṣāh — counsel, advice, or purposeH6098 — Full Word Study → of a man’sאִ֑ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → heartבְלֶב־ḇə·leḇ- — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → are deepעֲ֭מֻקִּים‘ă·muq·qîm — Deep, profound, abyssH6013 — Full Word Study → watersמַ֣יִםma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →, but a manוְאִ֖ישׁwə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → of understandingתְּבוּנָ֣הtə·ḇū·nāh — Prudent understanding; discernment and skillH8394 — Full Word Study → draws them outיִדְלֶֽנָּה׃yiḏ·len·nāh — To draw up or pull out; to draw waterH1802 — Full Word Study →. 6Manyרָב־rāḇ- — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → a manאָדָ֗ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → proclaimsיִ֭קְרָאyiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → hisאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → loving devotionחַסְדּ֑וֹḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →, but whoמִ֣יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → can findיִמְצָֽא׃yim·ṣā — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → a trustworthyאֱ֝מוּנִ֗ים’ĕ·mū·nîm — Faithfulness, reliability, trustworthinessH529 — Full Word Study → manוְאִ֥ישׁwə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →? 7The righteous manצַדִּ֑יקṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → walksמִתְהַלֵּ֣ךְmiṯ·hal·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → with integrityבְּתֻמּ֣וֹbə·ṯum·mōw — Integrity, completeness, wholeness, uprightnessH8537 — Full Word Study →; blessed are his childrenבָנָ֣יוḇā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → after himאַחֲרָֽיו׃’a·ḥă·rāw — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →. 8A kingמֶ֗לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → who sitsיוֹשֵׁ֥בyō·wō·šêḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → a throneכִּסֵּא־kis·sê- — Throne; seat of authority and rulershipH3678 — Full Word Study → to judgeדִ֑יןḏîn — Judgment, legal case, dispute, or controversyH1779 — Full Word Study → sifts outמְזָרֶ֖הmə·zā·reh — to scatter, winnow, or disperseH2219 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → evilרָֽע׃rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → with his eyesבְעֵינָ֣יוḇə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →. 9Whoמִֽי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → can sayיֹ֭אמַרyō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “I have kept my heartלִבִּ֑יlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → pureזִכִּ֣יתִיzik·kî·ṯî — to be clean, cleanse, purifyH2135 — Full Word Study →; I am cleansedטָ֝הַ֗רְתִּיṭā·har·tî — to be clean, purify, make pureH2891 — Full Word Study → from my sinמֵחַטָּאתִֽי׃mê·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study →”? 10Differingאֶ֣בֶן’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → weightsוָ֭אֶבֶןwā·’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → and unequal measuresאֵיפָ֣ה’ê·p̄āh — A dry measure of grain; a unit of capacityH374 — Full Word Study →bothשְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃šə·nê·hem — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → are detestableתּוֹעֲבַ֥תtō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ — Abomination; something detestable or loathsomeH8441 — Full Word Study → to the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 11Evenגַּ֣םgam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → a young manנָ֑עַרnā·‘ar — Young man, boy, or male servantH5288 — Full Word Study → is knownיִתְנַכֶּר־yiṯ·nak·ker- — To recognize, acknowledge, regard, or treat as strangeH5234 — Full Word Study → by his actionsבְּ֭מַעֲלָלָיוbə·ma·‘ă·lā·lāw — deed, work, or actionH4611 — Full Word Study →whetherאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → his conductפָּעֳלֽוֹ׃pā·‘o·lōw — work, deed, or actionH6467 — Full Word Study → is pureזַ֖ךְzaḵ — Pure, clean, unmixedH2134 — Full Word Study → and uprightיָשָׁ֣רyā·šār — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study →. 12Earsאֹ֣זֶן’ō·zen — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study → that hearשֹׁ֭מַעַתšō·mēr — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → and eyesוְעַ֣יִןwə·‘a·yin — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → that seeרֹאָ֑הrō·’āh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →the LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has made themעָשָׂ֥ה‘ā·śāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → bothשְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃šə·nê·hem — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study →. 13Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → loveתֶּֽאֱהַ֣בte·’ĕ·haḇ — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → sleepשֵׁ֭נָהšē·nāh — sleep; slumber; restH8142 — Full Word Study →, orפֶּן־pen- — lest, that not, for fear thatH6435 — Full Word Study → you will grow poorתִּוָּרֵ֑שׁtiw·wā·rêš — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study →; openפְּקַ֖חpə·qaḥ — to open (eyes, ears, doors)H6491 — Full Word Study → your eyesעֵינֶ֣יךָ‘ê·ne·ḵā — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →, and you will have plenty of foodלָֽחֶם׃lā·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study →. 14Worthlessרַ֣עra‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, worthlessרַ֭עra‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →!” saysיֹאמַ֣רyō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the buyerהַקּוֹנֶ֑הhaq·qō·w·neh — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study →, but on the way outוְאֹזֵ֥לwə·’ō·zêl — to go away, depart, be spent or exhaustedH235 — Full Word Study →, he gloatsיִתְהַלָּֽל׃yiṯ·hal·lāl — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study →. 15There isיֵ֣שׁyêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → an abundanceוְרָב־wə·rāḇ- — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → of goldזָ֭הָבzā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → and rubies, but lipsשִׂפְתֵי־śip̄·ṯê- — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study → of knowledgeדָֽעַת׃ḏā·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study → are a rareיְ֝קָ֗רyə·qār — Preciousness, value, honor, or worthH3366 — Full Word Study → treasureוּכְלִ֥יū·ḵə·lî — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study →. 16Takeלְֽקַח־lə·qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → the garmentבִּ֭גְדוֹbiḡ·ḏōw — Clothing; treachery or deceptionH899 — Full Word Study → of the oneכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → who posts securityעָ֣רַב‘ā·raḇ — To pledge, give surety, become responsible for anotherH6148 — Full Word Study → for a strangerזָ֑רzār — to turn aside, be strange or foreignH2114 — Full Word Study →; get collateralחַבְלֵֽהוּ׃ḥaḇ·lê·hū — to bind, pledge, or destroyH2254 — Full Word Study → if it is forוּבְעַ֖דū·ḇə·‘aḏ — through, by means of, on behalf ofH1157 — Full Word Study → a foreignerנָכְרִיםnå̄·ḵə·rīm — foreign, alien, strangerH5237 — Full Word Study →. 17Foodלֶ֣חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → gained by fraudשָׁ֑קֶרšā·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study → is sweetעָרֵ֣ב‘ā·rêḇ — Sweet, pleasant, agreeableH6156 — Full Word Study → to a manלָ֭אִישׁlā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →, but laterוְ֝אַחַ֗רwə·’a·ḥar — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → his mouthפִ֥יהוּp̄î·hū — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → is full ofיִמָּֽלֵא־yim·mā·lê- — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → gravelחָצָֽץ׃ḥā·ṣāṣ — Arrow; projectile weaponH2687 — Full Word Study →. 18Setתִכּ֑וֹןṯik·kō·wn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → plansמַ֭חֲשָׁבוֹתma·ḥă·šā·ḇō·wṯ — plan, purpose, or scheme (often with moral implications)H4284 — Full Word Study → by consultationבְּעֵצָ֣הbə·‘ê·ṣāh — counsel, advice, or purposeH6098 — Full Word Study →, and wageעֲשֵׂ֣ה‘ă·śêh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → warמִלְחָמָֽה׃mil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study → under sound guidanceוּ֝בְתַחְבֻּל֗וֹתū·ḇə·ṯaḥ·bu·lō·wṯ — Wise counsel, skillful advice, strategic guidanceH8458 — Full Word Study →. 19He who revealsגּֽוֹלֶה־gō·w·leh- — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study → secretsסּ֭וֹדsō·wḏ — Secret counsel, intimate advice, private gatheringH5475 — Full Word Study → is a constantהוֹלֵ֣ךְhō·w·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → gossipרָכִ֑ילrā·ḵîl — slanderer; one who spreads gossip or malicious talesH7400 — Full Word Study →; avoidתִתְעָרָֽב׃ṯiṯ·‘ā·rāḇ — To pledge, give surety, become responsible for anotherH6148 — Full Word Study → the one who babblesוּלְפֹתֶ֥הū·lə·p̄ō·ṯeh — To open, enlarge, or deceive; to entice or seduceH6601 — Full Word Study → with his lipsשְׂ֝פָתָ֗יוśə·p̲ā·t̲āyw — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study →. 20Whoever cursesמְ֭קַלֵּלmə·qal·lêl — to make light; to curse; to despiseH7043 — Full Word Study → his fatherאָבִ֣יו’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → or motherוְאִמּ֑וֹwə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →, his lampנֵ֝ר֗וֹnê·rōw — A lamp or light source; illuminationH5216 — Full Word Study → will be extinguishedיִֽדְעַ֥ךְyiḏ·‘aḵ — to extinguish, put out, quenchH1846 — Full Word Study → in deepestבְּאִישׁוֹןbə·ʾī·šōn — pupil of the eye; apple of the eyeH380 — Full Word Study → darknessחֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ḥō·šeḵ — Darkness; absence of light; obscurityH2822 — Full Word Study →. 21An inheritanceנַ֭חֲלָהna·ḥă·lāh — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study → gainedמְבֻחֶלֶתmə·ḇu·ḥɛ·lɛṯ — to abhor, loathe, detest with intensityH973 — Full Word Study → quicklyבָּרִאשֹׁנָ֑הbā·ri·šō·nāh — First, foremost, or former; earliest in time or orderH7223 — Full Word Study → will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be blessedתְבֹרָֽךְ׃ṯə·ḇō·rāḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → in the endוְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּwə·’a·ḥă·rî·ṯāh — End, latter time, final outcomeH319 — Full Word Study →. 22Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → sayתֹּאמַ֥רtō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “I will avengeאֲשַׁלְּמָה־’ă·šal·lə·māh- — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → this evilרָ֑עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →!” Waitקַוֵּ֥הqaw·wêh — To wait for; to expect with hopeH6960 — Full Word Study → on the LORDלַֽ֝יהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and He will saveוְיֹ֣שַֽׁעwə·yō·ša‘ — To deliver, rescue, or save from dangerH3467 — Full Word Study → you. 23Unequal weightsאֶ֣בֶן’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → are detestableתּוֹעֲבַ֣תtō·w·‘ă·ḇaṯ — Abomination; something detestable or loathsomeH8441 — Full Word Study → to the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and dishonestמִרְמָ֣הmir·māh — deceit, treachery, or cunning deceptionH4820 — Full Word Study → scalesוּמֹאזְנֵ֖יū·mō·zə·nê — scales, balance, or balances for weighingH3976 — Full Word Study → are noלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → goodטֽוֹב׃ṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →. 24A man’sגָ֑בֶרḡā·ḇer — Man, mighty man, strong manH1397 — Full Word Study → stepsמִצְעֲדֵי־miṣ·‘ă·ḏê- — a step or footstep; a pace or strideH4703 — Full Word Study → are from the LORD, so howמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → can anyoneוְ֝אָדָ֗םwə·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → understandיָּבִ֥יןyā·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → his own wayדַּרְכּֽוֹ׃dar·kōw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →? 25It is a trapמוֹקֵ֣שׁmō·w·qêš — snare, trap, or netH4170 — Full Word Study → for a manאָ֭דָם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → to dedicateקֹ֑דֶשׁqō·ḏeš — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study → something rashlyיָ֣לַעyā·la‘ — to devour, consume, eat upH3216 — Full Word Study →, only laterוְאַחַ֖רwə·’a·ḥar — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → to reconsiderלְבַקֵּֽר׃lə·ḇaq·qêr — to inquire, search out, investigateH1239 — Full Word Study → his vowsנְדָרִ֣יםnə·ḏā·rîm — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study →. 26A wiseחָכָ֑םḥā·ḵām — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → separates outמְזָרֶ֣הmə·zā·reh — to scatter, winnow, or disperseH2219 — Full Word Study → the wickedרְ֭שָׁעִיםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → and drivesוַיָּ֖שֶׁבway·yā·šeḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → the threshing wheelאוֹפָֽן׃’ō·w·p̄ān — wheelH212 — Full Word Study → over themעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 27The spiritנִשְׁמַ֣תniš·maṯ — breath, spirit, life-breathH5397 — Full Word Study → of a manאָדָ֑ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → is the lamp of the LORDיְ֭הוָהYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, searching outחֹ֝פֵ֗שׂḥō·p̄êś — to search diligently, to seek out, to disguise oneselfH2664 — Full Word Study → his inmost beingחַדְרֵי־ḥaḏ·rê- — Inner room, private chamber, bedroomH2315 — Full Word Study →. 28Loving devotionחֶ֣סֶדḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → and faithfulnessוֶ֭אֱמֶתwe·’ĕ·meṯ — Truth; faithfulness; reliability; what is established and sureH571 — Full Word Study → preserveיִצְּרוּ־yiṣ·ṣə·rū- — to guard, watch, keep, preserveH5341 — Full Word Study → a kingמֶ֑לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →; by theseבַּחֶ֣סֶדba·ḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → he maintainsוְסָעַ֖דwə·sā·‘aḏ — to support, sustain, or strengthenH5582 — Full Word Study → his throneכִּסְאֽוֹ׃kis·’ōw — Throne; seat of authority and rulershipH3678 — Full Word Study →. 29The gloryתִּפְאֶ֣רֶתtip̄·’e·reṯ — Beauty, glory, splendor, or magnificenceH8597 — Full Word Study → of young menבַּחוּרִ֣יםba·ḥū·rîm — Young man, youth, chosen oneH970 — Full Word Study → is their strengthכֹּחָ֑םkō·ḥām — Strength, power, might, or abilityH3581 — Full Word Study →, and gray hairשֵׂיבָֽה׃śê·ḇāh — Gray hair; old age; hoariness of headH7872 — Full Word Study → is the splendorוַהֲדַ֖רwa·hă·ḏar — Glory, majesty, splendor, honorH1926 — Full Word Study → of the oldזְקֵנִ֣יםzə·qê·nîm — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study →. 30Lashesחַבֻּר֣וֹתḥab·bu·rō·wṯ — A bruise, wound, or stripe on the bodyH2250 — Full Word Study → and woundsפֶּ֭צַעpe·ṣa‘ — wound, injury, or blow to the bodyH6482 — Full Word Study → scourתַּמְרִיקtam·rīq — to polish, furbish, or make brightH4838 — Full Word Study → evilבְּרָ֑עbə·rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, and beatingsוּ֝מַכּ֗וֹתū·mak·kō·wṯ — A blow, wound, or plague; physical injury or divine judgmentH4347 — Full Word Study → cleanse the inmost partsחַדְרֵי־ḥaḏ·rê- — Inner room, private chamber, bedroomH2315 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Proverbs 20
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Proverbs 20 continues Solomon's instruction on living wisely within God's moral order. This chapter addresses practical matters of daily life—from the dangers of intoxication and laziness to the importance of honesty in business, humility before God, and respect for authority. Throughout, Solomon contrasts the fool's path with the wise person's way, emphasizing that genuine wisdom produces observable fruit in character, relationships, and conduct. The chapter repeatedly reminds us that God sees all things and ultimately governs human affairs.

Verses 1-5: Intoxication, Authority, and the Value of Counsel

Verse 1 opens with a stark warning: alcohol mocks those who consume it excessively, and strong drink causes rage. Anyone deceived by alcohol demonstrates a lack of wisdom. This is not a blanket condemnation of wine itself (Scripture permits moderate use), but a clear warning against drunkenness, which clouds judgment and leads to sin.

Verses 2-3 shift to social relationships. The fear of a king's authority is likened to a lion's roar—it commands respect and obedience. Provoking a ruler's anger is ultimately self-destructive. By contrast, it brings honor to step away from strife; only fools constantly meddle in quarrels. These verses teach respect for lawful authority and the wisdom of peacemaking.

Verse 4 condemns laziness through a vivid image: the sluggard refuses to work because of winter's cold, so at harvest he has nothing. Diligence and willingness to work through difficulty are marks of the wise.

Verse 5 praises good counsel. Deep wisdom resides in people's hearts, but drawing it out requires genuine understanding and the ability to listen well.

Application: We must guard against anything that clouds our judgment—whether alcohol or other distractions—and cultivate wisdom by seeking and heeding good counsel.

Verses 6-12: Integrity, Character, and God's Omniscience

Verse 6 observes that most people boast of their own goodness, but faithful, truly virtuous people are rare. This encourages humility: our character should speak louder than our words.

Verse 7 shows that a righteous person's integrity produces a ripple effect—his children and descendants are blessed by his faithful example. Conversely, verse 11 notes that even children reveal their true nature through their actions; character shows itself early.

Verses 8-9 emphasize divine knowledge. A king who judges righteously sees through deception and banishes evil. Yet verse 9 poses a sobering question: who can truthfully claim a pure heart? This echoes the doctrine of human sinfulness (Romans 3:23) and prepares us to recognize our need for God's grace and forgiveness.

Verses 10 and 23 (repeated) condemn dishonest weights and measures in commerce—a symbol of fraud and injustice. God abhors deceit in all its forms.

Verse 12 reminds us that God created both our ears and eyes; therefore, we are accountable for how we listen and perceive truth.

Application: Let your actions, not your words, demonstrate your character. Remember that God sees everything, and strive for honesty in all dealings.

Verses 13-30: Work, Speech, Justice, and Life's Seasons

Verse 13 warns against excessive sleep, which leads to poverty. Hard work and vigilance bring provision. Verses 14-17 address business dealings and speech: the dishonest buyer haggles harshly then boasts of his bargain; deceitful gain may taste sweet momentarily but brings bitter consequences. Verse 15 affirms that knowledge and wisdom surpass material wealth.

Verses 19-20 warn against gossip and disrespect toward parents—the latter bringing darkness and judgment. Verse 22 counsels patience in facing injustice: wait on the Lord rather than seeking personal vengeance.

Verses 24-27 stress divine sovereignty: our steps are ordered by God, our spirits are His lamp searching our hearts, and mercy upholds the throne. Verses 28-30 note that strength marks youth and gray hair marks wisdom; even discipline, though painful, purifies the inner person.

Application: Work diligently, speak truthfully, respect authority and parents, and trust God with justice. Remember that every season of life has its glory when lived under God's lordship.

Application for Today

Proverbs 20 calls us to examine our character honestly. Are we governed by wisdom or folly? Do we work diligently, speak truthfully, and honor God's authority? This chapter invites us to align our daily choices—from how we work and spend, to how we speak and relate—with God's design for human flourishing. Above all, it reminds us that God sees the heart and will bring all things to light.

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