Proverbs 20 Bible Commentary

20:1 ^a Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whoever is deceived by it is not wise.

(a) By wine here is meant him that is given to wine, and so by strong drink.

20:2 The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoever] provoketh him to anger ^b sinneth [against] his own soul.

(b) Puts his life in danger.

20:5 Counsel in the heart of ^c man [is like] deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

(c) It is hard to find out: for it is as deep waters, whose bottom cannot be found: yet the wise man will know a man either by his words or manners.

20:8 A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment ^d scattereth away all evil with his eyes.

(d) Where righteous judgment is executed, there sin ceases, and vice dare not appear.

20:10 Differing weights, [and] differing measures, both of ^e them [are] alike abomination to the LORD.

(e) Read (Proverbs 16:11).

20:16 Take his ^f garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

(f) Teach him wit, that he cast not himself rashly into danger.

20:25 [It is] a snare to the man [who] ^g devoureth [that which is] holy, and after vows to make enquiry.

(g) That is, to apply or take for his own use, that which was appointed to God's and then ask how he may be exempted from the fault.

20:26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the ^h wheel over them.

(h) Which was a kind of punishment then used.

20:27 The ⁱ spirit of man [is] the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

(i) The word of God gives life to man and causes us to see and try the secret of our dark hearts, (Hebrews 4:12).

20:30 ^k The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so [do] stripes the inward parts of the belly.

(k) Sharp punishment that pierces even the inward parts is profitable for the wicked to bring them to amendment.